Dallas Scores, BPF Saves and Leeds go Second

Leeds went second in the Championship thanks to a solitary Stuart Dallas goal and a stunning penalty save by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The youngster certainly answered his critics with the save that guaranteed Leeds’ second win in four days.

Marcelo Bielsa recalled fit-again Peacock-Farrell and brought in Lewis Baker to midfield, Kalvin Phillips moved into the defence. Will Huffer and Aapo Halme dropped to the bench.

Leeds started strongly and should have been in front in the first minute, Barry Douglas latched on to a deflected Pablo Hernandez shot but his header went wide much to the dismay of over 27,000 fans.

The eleventh minute brought fans to their feet and many with tears steaming down their faces remembered the late Gary Speed who died seven years ago. Myself I remember the goal he scored against Sheffield United when the commentator said “Go on Gary Speed, get one yourself!”
I felt incredibly proud of seeing nearly every fan clapping, singing his name, his memory will always live on in our hearts.

Fans pay tribute to Gary Speed.

Kemar Roofe had two efforts on goal but one was wide, one went over the bar, Roofe was involved in a superb move that ended with Ezgjan Alioski’s shot deflected wide by Reading’s Jaakkola.

The same Leeds player went down in the area and was booked by Mike Dean for ‘simulation’, on review the winger did go down like a ‘sack of spuds’. Will we ever get a penalty? 0-0 at the break.

Leeds brought on Samuel Siaz and Jack Clarke at the start of the second period, both had a immediate impact. Clarke drove into the box and shot, his effort was blocked with the ball rebounding to Siaz who’s effort was also blocked.

Leeds were well on top and Roofe’s header was superbly saved by Jaakkola but it wasn’t a surprise when they went ahead, Hernandez cleverly back heeled the ball(football porn)to Douglas who found Roofe, the striker’s effort was brilliantly blocked by the Reading defence but the ball fell to Stuart Dallas who slammed the ball past the Reading keeper.

Stuart Dallas makes it 1-0.

Leeds strangely took their foot ‘off the gas’ meaning that Reading game more into the game, Leeds introduced Jamie Shackleton to give the midfield fresh legs but Reading still moved the ball across the Leeds back line but they couldn’t finish off their endeavours. With time almost up, a ball into the box found Reading substitute Sims who had his legs taken away by Douglas. Groans around the ground were clearly audible as it looked as Reading would deny Leeds at the death. There was one more twist in this tale, McNulty stepped up and hit the ball to the left of Peacock-Farrell, incredibly the young keeper dived the correct way and superbly saved the penalty. So pleased the youngster responded to the calls for his omission with this fantastic save.

BPF saves the day.

Football is a strange being, it lifts our hearts but also sends fans into the ‘pit of misery’. Tuesday night’s watching Leeds was once a very painful affair, losing most of the games they played on that day. Then along came Mr Bielsa from Argentina, sensible black glasses and a blue bucket to sit on, things have changed a lot this season.

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but like Bristol City it was a vital three points. Sometimes the results out-ways the performance.

Men of the Match: Liam Cooper and BPF. Superb performance from the skipper and a vital contribution by the keeper.

Peacock-Farrell celebrates his penalty save and Cooper applauds the fans.

MOT

By Keith Ingham