Leeds United 1 Reading 0: Peacock-Farrell produces penalty heroics to earn Whites victory
Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to his starting line-up following the victory over Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell returned to the team to replace Will Huffer in goal following a thing injury, while midfielder Lewis Baker was handed a first league start by the Argentine since joining the club on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer.
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Hide AdLeeds got the game off to a frantic start and full-back Barry Douglas had a wonderful chance to open the scoring as a mishit Pablo Hernandez shot fell to the Scot but his header fell wide of the mark.
Reading went close themselves as some quick-thinking from Leandro Bacuna spotted Peacock-Farrell off his line from 40-yards but the midfielder saw his free-kick tipped over the bar.
The visitors threatened once more as Andy Yiadom played a lovely ball into the box which found its way to debutant Danny Loader but his effort struck team-mate Yakou Meite en route to goal.
Paul Clement's side again opened up United with some lovely play but couldn't convert their domination of the ball into a goal as Chris Gunter saw another shot blocked.
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Hide AdKemar Roofe saw an effort fly over from distance before another deflected shot fell to Gjanni Alioski with the goal gaping but his chance was prodded wide by Anssi Jaakkola before an offside flag came to the Royals rescue.
The break loomed and the half was brought to a close by a woeful Alioski dive in which the Macedonian recieved a yellow card for from referee Mike Dean.
Bielsa responded to the lacklustre showing by introducing Samuel Saiz and Jack Clarke to the game following the interval and the pair almost made an immediate impact.
Clarke drilled a low ball into the box which found the Spaniard but his shot was blocked by a retreating Reading body.
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Hide AdLeft-back Douglas then produced a lovely delivery which was met by a cushioned Roofe header but the chance was stopped brilliantly by Jaakola in the visiting goal.
Leeds though would finally have their breakthrough as a clever flick from Hernandez set Douglas free into the area with his ball finding Roofe with the goal at his mercy.
The striker saw two shots blocked before the ball fell to Stuart Dallas who tapped home from underneath the crossbar to send Elland Road wild.
There was to be late drama as Barry Douglas brought down Joshua Sims leaving man in the middle Dean no option but to point to the spot in the 89th minute.
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Hide AdMarc McNulty stepped up for the visitors but Peacock-Farrell thrust himself down low to his right to produce a strong hand to keep out the strike from 12-yards and ensure Bielsa's men came away with all three points.
Leeds United XI: Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Douglas, Phillips, Cooper (c), Baker, Klich, Alioski, Hernandez, Forshaw, Roofe. Subs: Huffer, Halme, Clarke, Clarke, Shackleton, Roberts, Harrison, Saiz.
Reading XI: Jaakkola, Yiadom, Ilori, Moore, Gunter, Bacuna, Rinomhota, Swift, Kelly, Meite, Loader. Subs: Walker, O'Shea, McCleary, Aluko, Sims, Blackett, McNulty.