Leeds United vs Newport County Match Report

Facts:

- Doukara unavailable due to links away from Leeds.
- Caleb Ekuban (foot) and Pablo Hernandez (hip) unlikely to play.
- Ben Tozer (Newport) set for first start since injury in January
- Said hit 3 in last Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale

Form:

Leeds: WWDDW
Newport: DWDW
Leeds only game against Newport: Lost 3-1 in 1949

Lineups:

Leeds: Green, Anita, Ayling, Shaughnessy, Borthwick-Jackson, Vieira, Klich, Dallas, Stokes, Gomes, Roofe
Subs: BPF, Cooper, Alioski, Saiz, Phillips, Wilks, O’Connor

Newport: Day, Demetriou, White, O’Brien, Pipe, Wilmott, Dolan, Labadie, Ring, McClousky, Reynolds
Subs: Bittner, Butler, Noble, Tore Bennett, Cole, Quigley

Game:

Leeds once again showed their strength in the Carabao Cup as they despatch Newport County 5-1 with Kemar Roofe grabbing the headlines.

The score, which may be more than generous to the whites, showed goals aren’t a problem in a side full of confidence and attacking talent. Leeds struggled to carve out clear chances in the first half but made light work on the League Two side after the break with Thomas Christiansen’s half time team talk clearly making a difference.

Leeds were buoyed by the emergence of Kemar Roofe as a clear goal threat, scoring three fantastic goals and putting his name at the forefront of Thomas Christiansen’s side as he looks to Saturday’s away clash at Nottingham Forest.

Having made nine changes to the side that faced Sunderland on Saturday, Leeds started the game in a sluggish fashion with many players finding their feet. Leeds were tested early on with Rob Green making a fantastic save after a deadly counter attack by McCoulsky and Reynolds.

The game then turned on its head late on in the first half when Joss Labadie was given space from 30 yards out before taking a thunderous shot which fell to Rob Green who initially saved it before the ball bobbled over him and went into the net.

Leeds then grabbed the equaliser just before half time after a corner was sent into the box only for Luke Ayling to scrap the ball in on his second attempt and Kemar Roofe to be gifted with a tap in on the 6 yard box.

Leeds went into the half with an all too familiar feeling; the game had been a mirror image of the sides last Carabao Cup fixture against Port Vale and it turned out the tale would end the same.

Within four minutes of the second half Leeds had taken the lead having been a goal down 2 minutes before the halftime whistle and once again Kemar Roofe was there to add to his game tally. Most of the credit has to go to a newly invigorated Stuart Dallas who tooth game o Newport before beating two players and squaring the ball to Roofe to perfectly volley it in.

With Roofe on a hat trick, the player showed his real skill when noticing that Newport keeper Day had strayed from his line before trying to chip the misplaced keeper only for his shot to cannon off the crossbar.

It didn’t take long for Roofe to have his third after Luke Ayling was back again from a more familiar position to find space on the right wing and dink the ball into a marked Roofe who’s spectacular overhead kick beat Day.

Christiansen then allowed both Alioski and Said to gain some valuable minutes in the game and within five Leeds had their fourth goal. This time Borthwick-Jackson on the left creating space before his low cross was deflected in the path of Saiz just inside the box. His curling effort beating both defenders and goalkeepers fell into the bottom left corner.

Leeds were in control by this point and came close with two brilliant chances: Alioski woke Day up with a stinging freekick before teeing up Stuart Dallas whose goal bound curled shot was just headed behind.

Straight after Leeds had their fifth goal and once again Luke Ayling knocked down a Samu Saiz cross for Ronaldo Vieira to bag his first goal of the season for Leeds.

A fine display for Leeds in the second half, with many players showing Christiansen that they deserve more first team chances during the long season ahead. Leeds 5-1 winners away but still at home against Newport County.

Post Match:

- Christiansen:

On Doukara: Was in his plans to play tonight but due to an agreement with unnamed club Leeds could not play the departing striker.
On incomings: Club looking at one or two strikers, expects another player to sign before the Forest game at the weekend.
On Carabao Cup: Will arrange a wake up call for the draw. Prefers a bigger team but wants the fixture at home because the fans deserve that.

By Ryan Ingham