Leeds vs Boro Match Report

Form:

Leeds: LLLLL
Boro: DLWWW
Against Boro: DWWLD
At Home vs Boro: LWWWD

Lineups:

Leeds: Lonergan, Ayling, Jansson, Cooper, Berardi, Vieira, Phillips, Alioski, Saiz, Hernandez, Roofe Subs: Wiedwald, Pennington, Anita, O'Kane, Sacko, Ekuban, Grot

Boro: Randolph, Roberts, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Downing, Leadbitter, Howson, Tavernier, Braithwaite, Assombalonga Subs: Dimi, Fabio, Fry, Forshaw, Johnson, Traore, Fletcher

In a game that spoke more about the politics of football rather than the game prior to kick off, Leeds came back to winning ways in style against an on form Middlesbrough team.

The Whites were avenging managers of the past as they took on former boss Garry Monk's Boro side who had won three league games on the bounce and sat comfortably in sixth place.

Whereas Leeds, who were coming from five straight league losses were looking to get back to form and so they did.

Goals from Pablo Hernandez and Egzjan Alioski gave Leeds a comfortable 2-0 lead before Boro pulled one back from a strange penalty decision but could not find a second to level the match.

The game started well for Leeds, who had decided to start Kemar Roofe up front in a decision that Leeds fans had been clambering for weeks to happen.

The nimble forward gave Leeds extra breathing room up front and they were able to capitalise with space when Alioski turned George Friend and crossed the ball into the box with Kalvin Phillips unmarked able to tee up an onrushing Pablo Hernandez at the back post who powered his effort high into the goal.

Hernandez celebrates a fantastically worked goal to put Leeds ahead

Leeds were in again after George Friend had impeded Alioski once again as the Macedonian was continuing to best him during the game.

The freekick was powered in and Pontus Jameson's header feel straight to Samuel Saiz, but his lofted effort was just over the crossbar.

After the break Leeds were back to it and within the first few minutes the Whites were prowling just outside the box before Luke Ayling was sent through on goal, his effort was just over the bar.

It wasn't long before Leeds had their second. Kemar Roofe once again showing his skill by getting the ball with his back to goal before taking it 20 yards and finally laying it off to Hernandez. The Spaniards inch perfect cross to Alioski was perfection and the Macedonian was there to slide the ball into the roof of the net.

Leeds nearly had a third after some intricate play by Saiz and a 1-2 to Vieira gave the magician enough room to work a shot, the ball crashed against the post and was unlucky not to find a Leeds player in the box.

With some strategic substitutions Boro came into the match heavily and it took a last second clearance on the goal line from Luke Ayling to stop Martin Braithwaite from picking up a Boro goal.

Boro were then awarded a penalty for a stupid decision by Ayling for reacting to a disgusting foul by Daniel Ayala who grabbed the player by the neck and threw him to the floor. Although it was a disgusting foul, Ayling grabbing the players legs cost Leeds a penalty. It's just a wonder how the linesman that flagged for the second infringement was unable to see the wrestling move prior to it.

Assombalonga was there to send Lonergan the wrong way and Leeds had it all to do with 10 minutes remaining.

Boro's main final chance came from a terrific volley by Braithwaite but Pontus Jansson was there to clear the danger.

Overall a brilliant performance in which Leeds began to look like the team that had started so well this season.

If they can take this win into the next two tough away fixtures against Wolves and Barnsley, this season could continue to surprise us.

A small note for the brilliance of the club for the cards that were handed out in the East Stand and the flags in the South Stand.

A beautiful spectacle for all fans to engage in and a nice bit of memorabilia for the young fans.

By Ryan Ingham