Elche 1 Leeds United 2: Ten men Whites survive double injury blow to seal European trophy - YEP 8/12/22
Mateusz Klich netted a brilliant 88th-minute winner as Leeds United recovered from a dreadful first-half display and two injury blows to bag the Festa d’Elx Trophy with a 2-1 triumph against Thursday night’s ‘friendly’ hosts Elche.
Lee Sobot
Elche thought they had taken an early lead in the fourth
minute when Lucas Boye converted at the second attempt only to be flagged
offside. Leeds then immediately countered up the other end of the pitch and
Crysencio Summerville looked destined to score when racing through only to be
denied by a last ditch tackle from Elche’s John Nwanko. Both players were
injured in the collision and in-form 21-year-old Dutch winger hobbled off to be
replaced by Sam Greenwood in the 11th minute.
Leeds struggled to get out of their own half and Elche
created a string of good chances before finally taking the lead on the stroke
of half time. The hosts switched the play from left to right and Josan was
played in behind Leo Hjelde before producing a lovely lovely dinked chip over
the onrushing Joel Robles for a finish that went in off the post.
The pattern of the game continued after the restart but
Leeds drew level through a neat move on the hour mark as Joe Gelhardt tapped
home from a Sam Greenwood square ball after a lovely Jack Harrison pass. Whites
boss Jesse Marsch then made six changes one minute later and Klich almost
netted within seconds of being introduced as the Pole saw his curler tipped
wide after a fine run from fellow substitute Mateo Joseph.
Both sides then had chances to bag the game's third goal and
Leeds had to end the contest with ten men after substitute Sonny Perkins became
injured with no further outfield players on the bench. Leeds, though, provided
one final twist via a terrific strike from Klich who set himself 20 yards out
and sent a beautiful shot into the top right corner to seal a 2-1 victory.
Leeds United v Elche: Robles; Ayling, Cooper (Drameh 61),
Struijk, Hjelde; Forshaw (Gyabi 61), Roca (Klich 61); Harrison (Gnonto 61),
Summerville (Greenwood 11); Gelhardt (Perkins 61), Rodrigo (Joseph 61). Subs
not used: Van Den Heuvel.
