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Match report: Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion
Match action fom Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion. PIC: PA
Alan Navarro struck an injury-time winner for Brighton and Hove Albion denting Neil Redfearn’s hopes of becoming the next Leeds United manager.
The 46-year-old has been granted what amounts to a four-game interview to impress after the sacking of Simon Grayson 10 days ago and, after winning at Bristol City last weekend, looked to have remained unbeaten when Luciano Becchio cancelled out Craig Mackail-Smith’s opener.
But, just as four minutes of injury time were displayed, Liam Bridcutt won the ball in midfield and played in Navarro and his low drive from the edge of the box went in via a deflection off Adam Smith to silence Elland Road.
It was unfortunate for Redfearn and his players who had done enough to at least warrant a point but, once the final whistle was blown, the anger from the terraces - which had prompted a pre-match protest march against chairman Ken Bates - returned, with several fans voicing their disapproval at Redfearn’s temporary appointment.
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The former Barnsley midfielder was the first man since Grayson to occupy the home dugout since December 2008 - a home defeat under Gary McAllister - and his side set off as though a loss was not an option today.
They should have been ahead inside four minutes - Becchio’s header grazing the post after Robert Snodgrass has turned inside Joe Mattock - and had a seemingly solid shout for a penalty turned down not long after.
Smith’s cross from the right fell to Ross McCormack and, as the 15-goal striker teed up a shot, he was clattered to the ground by Adam El-Abd. Referee Graham Salisbury did not agree with the protests of the Leeds players, though, leaving Redfearn to open a heated conversation with the fourth official.
McCormack, a scorer of two goals when these sides drew 3-3 in September, then shot over from an ambitious 35 yards before former Leeds loanee Sam Vokes, now on a temporary deal with Brighton, played in Navarro whose effort was also too high.
That effort signalled the start of some Brighton pressure, with Navarro and then Bridcutt working Andy Lonergan from distance, with Leeds responding through a near-post drive from Smith that nearly caught Peter Brezovan napping in the away goal.
Neither side was particularly able to get in behind the other during the opening half, but that changed within 60 seconds of the restart and only some desperate defending from Mattock kept Brighton level.
Aidan White’s pass put Snodgrass into the area and, after his low cross was shelled by Brezovan, Mattock prevented Becchio from bundling in at the back post.
If that was the game’s closest shave it was quickly bettered, with Lonergan producing a fine one-handed save to keep out Ashley Barnes, although the Leeds captain nearly undid his good work with two fumbles from corners - the second of which saw him eventually fall gratefully onto a Vokes header.
With both sides now fully committed to attacking, Snodgrass worked some space for Smith whose edge-of-the-area scoop floated over, before McCormack was also off target after Adam Clayton’s outside-of-the-boot ball from deep in his own half had cut Brighton open.
But, having made the majority of the running, the home side would fall behind with 13 minutes remaining, with Mackail-Smith doing the damage just three minutes after replacing Vokes.
The Leeds defence lost the Scotland international in the box and, once Vicente’s cross had picked him out, his eighth goal of the season duly followed.
However, their lead would last no longer than two minutes, with Becchio peeling off his marker at the front post and glancing a Snodgrass corner into the far corner.
But there was still more drama to come, with Bridcutt winning the ball and giving Navarro the chance to seal victory - an opportunity he duly took.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 37 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
original koppite
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 12:14 AMCount....A proper fan should support the club through thick and thin because it makes us stronger but that doesn't you do agree with everything that was done, commenting after SG has left is not disloyal as long as it is done in a constructive manner.
Counte Of Monte Fisto
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 11:04 AMI thought Redfern set up the team to achieve a draw no more, a good result for his 'interview' (unbeaten) but not for our club. Adam Smith who is known for bombing forward never went over the halfway line & we can only assume that was his instruction or has he changed character overnight. Poyet stifled our only creative outlet Snodgrass & Redfern looked like a boy lost with his subs, or rather lack of until it was too late (shades of SG). As usual defensively we looked ok before conceding 2 awful goals. The first was Smith being left unmarked to tap in from a cross which came about as a result of our throw in (just like 2 we conceded at their place). Their second I thought Lonergran should have done better & the defence was napping. With the cynical timing of the (correct IMO) sacking Redfern can only use the dross we have but even so I have seen nothing more than another well intentioned fan with less experience than Grayson (an SG lite if you like). I hope Bates is hanging on because of his tax situation & has plans to get somone in who can better use the wealth of resources he thinks he has placed at Grayson feet. Like everyone else though I think Ken will have kicked his cat on Sat night that Redfearn didn't make his job of replacing cheap with cheaper by staying unbeaten. Personally I wrote off this season at half time away ot Barnsely. I just hope we can have a mass clearout and start afresh with an experienced manager who knows how to properly wheel & deal & organise in the summer. So based on history Redfearn it is then! at least for 2 seasons before sacking him & blaming him for everything. What was interesting was hearing Eddie turn on Grayson's buys, management style etc on the phone-in after months of non comital comments whilst he was in post. This lack of respectful challenge to those in post then assasination afterwards sums the club up (& I love Eddie but can disagree with actions before any 60's Don worshippers pip in with how dare you comment about legends etc bilge). In summary early days but despite giving him the benefit of the doubt I saw nothing from Redfearn to suggest a new era was dawning just more of the same, this result could be an important one for our club if it forces Ken to go external rather cheap.
Stuart66
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:50 PMCome on Bramley Whites, you can't start wishing death on anyone. That's going too far. Koppite has his opinions and others have theirs. I think Leedsseagull was right, Brighton worked out how to beat Leeds and we let them. I thought Delph played quite well but we are about to lose him back to Villa. I thought Becchio started to show signs of improvement but we are still far too easy to beat. I can't see NR being the man for the job, the tactics looked just like under Grayson and the substitutions were far too late. You could put that down to NR being new to the job but he has been round the club and players for a long time now. Hopefully we can get a new manager in soon and get these players working for a living.
bramley whites
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 06:20 PMI might not be able to spell koppite i might be thick koppite but i do not sit at home on my own day in day out! i have people who love me ! and for that reason alone you cant hurt with your big words ! but at the end of the day if 99% of us said bates is doing a great job you would turn on us for that ! you just love conflict and in the comfort of your padded cell you wouldnt say. all you say to people on here at face to face thats a coward and that is what you are ! Yoi got bullied at school of your wife in life because your a very sad person xxxx bramley whites f u c k i n g loves leeds united hate bates koppite
bramley whites
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 06:08 PMKoppite you are lower than low ! you are a sad pathetic human ! its not just me who despices you everybody hates you apart from leosisbatesindisguise !! but your welcome to each other ! and you can mouth behind a site as much as you want !!! i am a leeds fan i do go to games i do spit my dummy out when we lose and yes i didnt like grayson but i despise you and what hurts me most about you is you have big words i say it from the heart because i have one ! im nowt like you and wouldnt want to be ! i dont wish death on nobody but i wish you would please because you are horrible nasty and vindictive to everyone on here you after against the grain with everyone d i c k h e a d
Liam123
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 04:25 PMoriginal koppite - calling a 14 year old Leeds united fan names now, that is about your level to be fair.
original koppite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 04:15 PMI think I saw bramley white interviewed on "The march" .....He was about 14 years of age, obviously retarded, and said he was marching because he couldn't afford ticket prices....I understand at the end of the march he went to the White Rose and picketed the jewelers shop complaining he couldn't afford some of their more expensive watches.
LeedsBulldog
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:40 PMForget the YEP - Heres a match report for anyone who didnt go to the match = Brighton were Sh7t and we were worse - END OF!,Redfearn as manager ??? id better dig out my map for division one grounds - AGAIN! why didnt redfearn fire up the players?why did they look LAZY - as though they had been on the p7ss the nightbefore? why wont they tackle anyone? why wont they win the ball back? why do we have a SILENT captain? why did the bearded snake not have a proper manager lined up? (as if we dont know) why are our crowds getting less and less? WHY? - ASK BATES - HES GOT AN ANSWER FOR EVERYTHING - SORRY, A LIE FOR EVERYTHING!
leedsseagull
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 02:33 PMYou are all missing the point! Brighton were not sh7t.... we were the away team. You did not close us down & allowed us space to play the passing game. You have just been done-over by the meanest defence in the championship & the form team for 2012 so far From the Brighton view point you were there for the taking & the will he-won't he surrounding NR has made it all the more easier for The Albion. The only plus fore Leeds in Snodgrass & he was up it, but cannot do it on his own We enjoyed the day (for obvious reasons) & the game it's self was a decent Championship encounter, but the Leeds fans need to turn-up to Elland road in their numbers & get behind the team & forget about CB. Your ground lacks atmosphere with only 23,000 & the fans tension is getting to the team Without that support, whether it's NW, NR blah blah you will be back in Division one in no time From a very happy & contact Seagull in Leeds
original koppite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 01:56 PM21buckstonewhites16...I sympathise with your experience yesterday but it was always going to end in tears. When you allow muppets like those to march and protest it is a riot waiting to happen and, as I said on previous posts, these numpties will do far more damage to our club than they could ever do good. I saw tv footage of interviews of the "Protesters" and it was embarassing in the extreme.
original koppite
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 01:47 PMNeil1964....I have posted for 10 years on here and BBC606 never once resorting to foul language so perhaps you should ensure your carer has English as her 1st language to ensure when she reads my comments to you she reads them as written...kind regards, original koppite!
nickjb
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 12:31 PMre. 14; nice idea, horse, but I doubt you'll find a single unemployed demolition or construction worker within striking distance of Elland Road; they're all working flat-out on minimum wages ! So it's John Carver II, not Don Revie II, though I never saw Brighton as a pushover with Poyet in charge. After yesterday, we can kiss goodbye to Lambert, who was always a bit of a fantasy appointment, for, if he doesn't stay at Norwich, he'll go to Spurs. Looking at Bates' appointments, they've all been meek and ineffectual, and none exuded a sense of inner belief that they could be successful; they've all looked out of their depth, reminiscent of McClaren or Keegan with England. One young manager who's been on my radar for many months who I suggested Santa Ken should visit with his £1,050,000 plus TV money from the Arsenal match, in my ironic Christmas card to him, is a popular ex No.12, who turned 38 yesterday. His team got the same result as we did last week against the same team but all eleven stayed on the pitch. I think he's made of sterner stuff than the last half-dozen we've had, and would tell the monarch of Monaco where to get off if he meddled too much. Unfortunately, he's just signed an extended contract, which would mean a 'hullover' lot of compensation ! As Rolf wouid say, "Do you know who it is yet?" !
Tom1919LUFC
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:59 AMI am sure NR is a good bloke who wants only to bring success to Leeds United as did Grayson. It's been mentioned on previous posts, we need an experienced, strong manager. Whoever maybe I should say whenever given bates has shown his colours and if it' not free or cost peanuts it's not happening. No thought or respect for fans, Leeds United FC, it's tradition & potential. Bates, Warnock and Billy Davis do not like Leeds United and have openly made comments to this effect. A decent manager with good reputation of bringing out best in players and who can get results. Sadly in my heart of hearts I agree with most of the comments who also believe it's always going to be the cheap option while Bates is owner. Who would be interested in doing business with Bates, not seeing any queue's of suits lined up or coming forward to invest. I would like to wake up one day and read about happier times at Leeds United again. Love Leeds United always MOT.
Neil1964
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:02 AMoriginalgobite. I am sick of your foul mouthed moaning comments. You are the biggest moaner on here but you dont see that do you? You might understand the anger if you tried going to a game, if your carer would take you.
Marchingonwherever
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 09:53 AMThe players want NR because it will be an easy ride for them. We need Warnock in to put a rocket up their backsides. I think it speaks volumes when they can't even win for a man who they want to be their next perminent manager.
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