Leeds vs Brighton Match Report

Stats:
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- Leeds have lost their last 6 encounters against Brighton.
- Last win Aug 2013; 2-1 Luke Murphy last minute goal.
- Glenn Murray is behind Chris Wood in the scoring rankings. Currently joint second on 14 with Tammy Abraham.
- Leeds have won 20 games this season. More than their previous 6 seasons!
- Knockheart has contributed to 9 goals in 9 games for Brighton.

Form:

Brighton: WLLWW
Leeds: DWWDD
Leeds vs Brighton: LLLLL
At home to Brighton: LWLLL

Lineups:

Leeds XI: Green, Berardi, Bartley, Cooper, Taylor, Bridcutt, Vieira, Sacko, Hernandez, Pedraza, Wood
Subs: Silvestri, Roofe, Doukara, O’Kane, Dallas, Jansson, Barrow

Brighton XI: Stockdale, Rosenior, Dunk, Hunemeier, Tomori, Skalak, Kayal, Stephens, Knockheart, Murray, Baldock
​Subs: Maenpaa, Hemed, Sidwell, March, Norwood, Akpom, White

Game:

A majestic performance from Leeds United saw the club claim a 2-0 win against second placed Brighton and Hove Albion. 

Leeds started the game well and controlled the possession in the first 10 minutes and had two great opportunities on the counter attack with a misplaced pass and an offside preventing Wood to take the chance.

Leeds keeper Rob Green was then called into action when a low cross from Rosenior was deflected by a Leeds defender before a miraculous save pushed the ball away from a certain goal. 

It wasn’t until the 60th minute that Leeds found a real chance to gain a foothold in the game with a wild ball into the box from Berardi found Wood in the 6 yard box, only for the striker to poke the ball right at Stockdale. 

That wouldn't be the end of it though as Charlie Taylor showed his immense attacking ability by driving the ball past two Brighton players before crossing the ball from the byline. An onrushing Chris Wood was then able to guide to the ball past a sprawling David Stockdale into the top left corner. 

Brighton nearly equalised instantaneously as Sam Baldock was found unmarked from a corner but his diving header couldn’t reach the ball inside the 6 yard box. 

Solly March was then introduced for the visitors and the left midfielder terrorised Leeds’ right hand side. Brighton should have been back in the game with a chance for an unmarked Glenn Murray who’s ferocious strike was brilliantly parried away by Rob Green.

Stand out left midfielder Alfonso Pedraza was then taken off and received a standing ovation as he left the field to be replaced by Souleymane Doukara. The young Spaniard was one of the standout players for Leeds in the game and remained a constant threat when called into action. 

Garry Monk then saw the fruits of his changes as Stuart Dallas who had replaced Sacko on the right helped out Berardi to quell the onslaught from March. His other substitution Doukara then rewarded his managers faith in him by bursting in the box before being fouled by Tomori; Leeds Penalty. 

Up stood Chris Wood to make his 21st league goal of the season by sending Stockdale the wrong way and wheeling off into the south stand to celebrate

Post Match: ​

-Monk: Going into international break with a win is nice. Team prepared well this week, excellent performance against a tough team who have had a fantastic season.

Rob Green, great save off Liam Cooper. Delighted for new deal, deserved it. Top professional, experienced and a great keeper. Deserves the praise he's getting right now but very focussed.

No Jansson; Monk does what's best for the group. Picks the team that's best suited. Who'll deliver the principles that they work to. When picking the team it's what's best for the group and the principles they uphold.Cooper is a top defender, he's improving. Listens and works hard. Excellent performance.

Biggest win as Leeds manager? It's just three points.

- Hughton: Disappointed. First half Leeds were better. Resonantly happy at 0-0. We had 2 or 3 good chances. Better in the second half and a draw would have been a fair result.

On the penalty; no complaints, shame for young lad (Tomori) in his first game for the club.

On chances it was an equal game, just a shame that Leeds took them and we couldn't.
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By Ryan Ingham