Bristol City 0 Leeds United 0: Robins dig deep to deny Whites victory at Ashton Gate — Yorkshire Post 26/10/24
Bristol City survived heavy pressure from high-flying Leeds United to earn a goalless draw at Ashton Gate.
United had 68 per cent of possession and 17 shots at goal
but could not find a way to break down their dogged hosts, who had Liam Manning
making an emotional return to coaching duties.
Back in charge for the first time since the tragic death of
his baby son Theo, the head coach briefly took to the field before kick-off to
acknowledge the warm applause in support of him from both sets of fans, which
followed a perfectly observed period of silence to mark the annual period of
Remembrance.
Manning then supervised operations from the dugout as City
denied Leeds in front of a 25,000 crowd, which produced a cracking atmosphere
throughout.
City gave a first start to summer signing Marcus McGuane in
place of the suspended Joe Williams in midfield, while winger Yu Hirakawa
replaced Anis Mehmeti. Leeds boss Daniel Farke made two changes, bringing in
Sam Byram and Dan James for Junior Firpo and the injured Largie Ramazani.
Leeds were first to threaten when Joe Rothwell’s
right-footed volley following a James cross was hooked wide on 13 minutes. But
City responded well and went close twice in quick succession through Liam
McNally’s acrobatic overhead and a Hirakawa shot deflected for a corner.
Brenden Aaronson shot inches over for Leeds when a
29th-minute corner was headed into his path just outside the box. Then, with
City temporarily down to 10 men because of an injury to Ross McCrorie, Jayden
Bogle headed into the side-netting.
McCrorie was replaced by Kal Naismith on 34 minutes and
moments later City goalkeeper Max O’Leary had to dive full length to keep out
Wilfried Gnonto’s powerful drive. O’Leary came to his side’s rescue again on 39
minutes spreading himself at the feet of James, who had burst clear onto a
Gnonto pass.
An entertaining first half lacked only goals. That looked
set to change seven minutes into the second half when Gnonto appeared unmarked
to meet a cross from the right, only to see his low shot cleared off the line
by Zak Vyner.
Seconds later the visitors went close again through an
Aaronson shot into the side netting. Playing towards their massed ranks of
travelling fans, Farke’s men enjoyed a spell of dominance that saw an Ao Tanaka
shot blocked and Sam Byram head over.
Substitute Mateo Joseph was just too high with a close-range
header as City came under constant pressure. Another Aaronson shot was parried
by O’Leary with his side hanging on.