Leeds United U23s secure crucial PL2 victory over 10-man Liverpool at Elland Road - YEP 7/2/22
Leeds United's U23s lifted themselves out of the PL2 bottom two on Monday evening with a 3-0 win over Liverpool.
By Joe Urquhart
A near 9-000-strong crowd piled into Elland Road for the
development clash between the Whites and the Reds.
Crysencio Summerville was among the more experienced of
those selected by head coach Mark Jackson.
The Dutch winger had been a talking point in Marcelo
Bielsa's press conference earlier in the day but played a starring role on the
night.
Summerville caused Liverpool's left side problems
throughout, cutting inside to unleash a number of efforts at goal and wreak
havoc.
It was one of those moves which led to the opening goal of
the evening.
The 20-year-old saw an initial low shot saved by Marcelo
Pitaluga before Jack Jenkins reacted quickest inside the area to find the
bottom corner.
Liverpool went close in response through Tyler Morton though
his effort deflected wide of Kristoffer Klaesson's near post.
Amari Miller - who had a quiet first half - almost doubled
the lead seconds ahead of half-time but saw a low shot whizz wide.
Sean McGurk replaced Nohan Kenneh at the interval in the
solitary change.
Kaide Gordon sent a warning to Leeds with a shot over the
bar following a mazy run from visiting captain Owen Beck to start the final 45
minutes.
The Reds applied some pressure but were held mainly at arm's
length by the hosts as the game reached the later stages.
As the match entered the final 10 minutes it was Leeds who
put the fixture to bed thanks to a second.
Max Dean released Summerville down the right and the wide
man saw his shot saved before being awarded a spot-kick having taken a tumble
in the process.
Beck, who had been booked in the first half, was given his
marching orders despite what appeared to be minimal contact.
Summerville himself converted from 12-yards, sending Pitaluga
the wrong way.
The points were sealed just minutes later as Summerville
again won another spot kick, allowing Dean this time to find the back of the
net and haul Leeds out of the PL2 bottom two.
Leeds United U23s: Klaesson, Moore, Sutcliffe, Kenneh
(McGurk 45), Cresswell, Mullen, Summerville, Jenkins, Dean (Joseph 89), Gray,
Miller (Allen 74). Subs not used: Van den Heuvel, Coleman.
Liverpool U23s: Pitaluga, Bradley (Quansah 84), Beck,
Williams, Koumetio, Gordon, Morton, Woltman (O'Rouke 61), Balagizi, Norris
(Bearne 74). Subs not used: Clayton, Kelly.
Attendance: 8,656
