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Match report: Bristol City v Leeds United
Bristol City's Albert Adomah holds off a challenge from Danny Pugh. PIC: PA
Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio were all on target at nine-man Bristol City as caretaker-manager Neil Redfearn steered Leeds United to their first Championship win on the road in five matches.
Redfearn, who has refused to rule himself out of the running for the job on a permanent basis after Simon Grayson was sacked on Wednesday, made a winning start to life as temporary boss thanks to Snodgrass’ 12th of the season at the end of the first half, McCormack’s 15th in the 79th minute and a late Becchio strike.
But Redfearn and Leeds were given a big helping hand by City pair James Wilson and Yannick Bolasie, who were both sent off by referee James Linington.
Defender Wilson was shown a straight red card for a professional foul after bringing down McCormack in the 44th minute and the home side were reduced to nine men when winger Bolasie was booked twice in three minutes early in the second period.
Former Leeds midfielder Neil Kilkenny was back in City’s starting line-up against his former club, while defenders Liam Fontaine and Wilson were also recalled to the side.
Danny Pugh replaced Andros Townsend on the left side of midfield for Leeds and new loan signing Adam Smith made his debut in the back four following his deadline-day arrival from Tottenham.
City began to look the more impressive side after a scrappy opening. Bolasie forced Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan into a full-length save with a shot from outside the area and Kilkenny was also on target with a thumping drive that was well held.
City were the dominant side but created little and save for Albert Adomah’s angled drive, which was brilliantly turned away by Lonergan in the 38th minute, had nothing to show for their efforts.
Leeds then took the lead against the run of play with their first meaningful attack.
A swift break involving Becchio, Pugh and McCormack set up Snodgrass on the edge of the area and his low shot wrong-footed City goalkeeper David James.
The home side were then reduced to 10 men just before the interval. Wilson gave chase after McCormack had darted clear on goal and after hauling down the Scottish striker, the City defender was dismissed.
City manager Derek McInnes sacrificed playmaker Kilkenny in order to send on Ryan McGivern, another defender, at half-time.
But McInnes’ plans were in disarray within 12 minutes of the second half following the sending-off of Bolasie.
Having just been booked for his foul on Leeds debutant Smith, the Congolese was shown a second yellow card for another poor challenge on the same player and City’s uphill task suddenly became mountainous.
Leeds moved the ball from one side of the pitch to the other to stretch City’s nine men and after creating numerous chances made the game safe with a second goal in the 79th minute.
Midfielder Adam Clayton clipped a fine ball over the City defence into the path of McCormack, who lashed home a low angled shot inside the far post from the edge of the area, and Becchio completed the scoring by firing home Aidan White’s cross in stoppage time.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 37 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
interm'landrover
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:59 AMI've enjoyed all 36 of these posts,I know I must be easily pleased and even koppite kept his righteous indignation in check.So Isupport those who say let's get behind the team and grind out results in these winnable matches coming up. I don't feel negative but we've seen a wide range of inconsistency ( so I'll curb my natural exuberance ) = JOKE! It looks like Becchio and McCormack are working better and even our two centre backs are talking and listening to each other.One note of caution we needed Andy Lonergan to be alert in the first half but he is the best GK we have had for quite some time. MOT!
OzTyke
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:55 AMI note the "you" instead of "us" John, but you do raise valid points there. Of course, we Leeds fans hope you prove to be wrong, but this is one of those defining moments where Bates can fly in this week and metaphorically slam a big sign on the Stadium walls that says 'We're going for it". Appoint a big name manager, get the one or two players in that are required, if he builds it (the team, not the bloody suites) they WILL come. Bums on seats, excitement coming back to ER and Bates benefits big-time as well, I can't believe he won't see the connection. Not only financially, but on-field success will take a lot of the heat from the fans off him. I was never interested in any financial machinations and politics when Leslie Silver, Manny Cussins and the rest were in charge, we were too busy having a great time watching our beloved team, even in the darker days! I don't want to believe the theories about Bates not wanting us to go up due to CVA Creditor clauses, increased PL scrutiny etc, but this managerial appointment will perhaps reveal his intentions, or increase suspicions. MOT.
John44
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:32 AMYou were lucky on Saturday you will not go up if Bates has anything to do with it. He has a lot he will have te reveal which he does not want to be made public. So watch your backs with a owner who calls you every name under the sun and still pay top dollar to watch a team made loan players, academy youngsters and old age pensioners.
original koppite
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 08:01 PMAfter the loss to Brum I posted we needed a run. 20 points out of the next 8 games is not out of the question and it would put us right up there as Soton are in freefall and we can improve lots without adding to the squad. MOT with proper fans who support
leedsu51
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 04:01 PM@2(5) kingbilly you do to - look foolish - start making an impact. Anyone but me who counted on 12 points in 4(four) games. 3 already taken. Of course most of you - that´s why we´re called fans or numpties. OK still original. and SiBylle outoftouch and Paz gone to sleep.
bramley whites
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:38 PMDat we all know what koppite is lol he just had a round of golf with nick Montgomery and he beat him !!! i think next week he got a game with den bell !!! I mean end bell lol
bramley whites
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 03:31 PM007 eat your heart out xxx love you James koppite xxx
original koppite
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 01:33 PMDAT...That is a stupid thing to say to bramley white...If you seriously believe he'll have a scooby what you are talking about you're as dumb as him.
bertiesboots
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 11:43 AMnow is the time for mr bates in his programme notes for the next home game to apologise to the leeds utd fans he called morons.this woiuld go some way to clear the air with the fans.we all agree that the team comes first and to back our team we might at least make the playoffs.who ever gets the managers job it must help if the atmosphere in the ground is improved and hopefully the team will respond..we all want investment in the team,but on the other hand would ken bates be speniding money on bricks and morter to the ground if he at least didnt have some part of ownership.if and when ken bates leaves our club the ground improvements will still be there.mot
DAT
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 10:07 AMBramley whites: original koppite is an Agent Provocateur.
paz
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 12:05 AMThis must be the new tactics - for every opponent sent off, one goal. All we have to do now is concentrate on getting 3 oppnents sent off every game to guarantee a win. EASY !
GOOOC
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:54 PMCouldn't make it to the game today (anniversary weekend the mrs would kill me) managed to listen to it on the radio though. 3 valuable points albeit against a poor team but from what I heard Kilkenny was their main force, redfearn seems to have done a great job with the youth since the turn of the year and I say give him a chance to prove himself . Plus he will be cheap so it fits uncle ken's bill YCB-GOOOC
kingbilly
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:25 PMcould some of you engage brain before commenting here , you look so foolish.
monkey1977
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:23 PMwith you horseoutside i said even before today something about the guy screams leeds united and lets face it we need quick results if we stand any chance of going up we cant afford to give a new manager a honeymoon period he needs to step right in and do the buisseness ....this guy knows the club knows the players and even if he has little experience as manager 1000 games as a player and he must have learnt something
horseoutside
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 08:18 PMI should add from my earlier comment regarding redfearn. lonergan has already come out and said the players respect him. he has been round the block and seen it all throughout his playing career. he knows all the players, including the youth, so is in the best position to shoot for the premier league with what we have got. i have a hunch that this dewsbury lad may have the bottle to take lufc back to the top.
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