Bristol City 0 Leeds United 1: Attacker seizes chance as dominant Whites enter new territory — YEP 2/2/24
Leeds United travelled to Bristol City knowing that victory would put them in the top two.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds United entered new territory under boss Daniel Farke
as a winger's rocket sealed a 1-0 victory at Friday night's Championship hosts
Bristol City.
Fourth-placed Leeds travelled to Ashton Gate knowing that a
victory would put them into the division's automatic promotion places for the
first time this season and a terrific strike from Willy Gnonto made it mission
accomplished.
Making his first league start of the year, the Italian
smashed home a fine finish after racing on to a Junior Firpo pass and Patrick
Bamford dummy in the 47th minute to spark wild celebrations in the away end.
Leeds squandered a glorious chance in the 13th minute when
George Tanner dallied on the ball to let in Crysencio Summerville one-on-one
but the winger's attempt to lob keeper Max O'Leary was clawed away by the
Robins keeper.
Five minutes later, Rutter slid in Patrick Bamford whose
fierce drive was straight at O'Leary who saved and Summerville then blazed wide
and over from just inside a crowded box.
Leeds continued to control matters and O'Leary clattered
into Rutter upon clearing as the Frenchman took a high ball into the area.
O'Leary then saved the Robins again in the 34th minute with
an excellent save to deny Rutter from four yards out, saving with his feet as
Rutter looked sure to score from a Patrick Bamford pull back.
Rutter was heavily involved and the record signing was then
sent tumbling in the block by a clumsy challenge from Tanner as he latched on
to Bamford's flick but referee Stephen Martin failed to award what looked a
clear penalty.
Bristol City had barely threatened but Leeds then survived a
Robins free-kick in stoppage time which led to some penalty box pinball but
Leeds clearing their lines as the first half ended goalless.
There were no changes during the interval and Leeds finally
went ahead two minutes after the restart through a fantastic strike from Gnonto
who darted on to a pass from Junior Firpo that Bamford had dummied before
rifling home a low drive beyond O'Leary into the right hand side of the net.
Leeds then had a great chance to double their advantage just
four minutes later via a rapid counter which ended with O'Leary diverting Glen
Kamara's attempted dink wide after Summerville had played him in.
Another chance arrived after more rapid Leeds press from
Summerville who dispossessed Zak Vyner to race into the area but then fired
into the side netting.
Just after the hour mark, O'Leary denied Summerville again
as he got down to smother his shot from the edge of the area but Whites keeper
Illan Meslier then made a big stop to deny substitute Anis Mehmeti who had been
played in behind the Whites back line.
Sloppy Leeds play then led to Taylor Gardner-Hickman getting
into the box but his header was easily saved and Leeds then raced up the other
end on the counter and fired a low shot inches wide of the post.
With seven minutes left, Gnonto's name echoed from the away
end as the Italian was substituted for Jaidon Anthony before Sam Byram was
introduced for Glen Kamara, allowing the excellent Archie Gray to move into
midfield.
Leeds pressed for a second but it was all hands to the pump
as the Robins forced an 89th minute corner, danger eventually averted via a
brilliant Joe Rodon header.
At the other end, Summerville was denied yet again as his
strike from the area was blocked but Gnonto's strike proved enough as Leeds
moved second upon having won five league games in a row.