Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Leeds United
Two sweet strikes mean honours even in the Yorkshire Derby
Leeds United currently sit top of the Championship table after a magnificent start to Marco Bielsa’s tenure in charge. However, they lost their first league match of the season in their last outing against Birmingham City who overturned the Whites, 1-2, at Elland Road.
Sheffield Wednesday were looking to gain another three points after their successful trip down to Birmingham as the Owls beat Aston Villa, 1-2, thanks to a Marco Matias and Steven Fletcher goal either side of John McGinn’s wonder-strike.
Who would come out of this Yorkshire victorious?
There was a penalty shout in the opening minutes. Fernando Forestieri ran through on goal and was seen to be sent to the ground by Pontus Jansson but despite the claims, the referee gave nothing.
Moments later, Harrison’s cross found the head of Barry Douglas whose powerful downward header was palmed wide by Cameron Dawson.
A quarter into the game, Liam Cooper failed to capitalise on a back post header as he nodded a cross, from the right, wide of the upright despite Dawson being in no mans lands.
Just after the twentieth minute mark, Wednesday had their first major opportunity. Matt Penny fizzed a cross towards the edge of the area where Steven Fletcher struck a fierce volley wide of the keepers right-hand post.
Minutes later, Leeds were inches away from taking the lead. Firstly, Ash Baker almost converted Jack Harrison’s dangerous cross but luckily it drifted wide for a corner. The flag kick caused more mayhem as Barry Douglas saw his initial effort bounce off the post back to the Scotsman so the full-back headed it across to Phillips whose shot was deflected just wide of the same post by Fletcher.
In the aftermath, Michael Hector drilled a long-ranged effort off target.
On the half hour mark, Jack Harrison jinked his way onto his left foot before dragging his shot wide of the near post.
With twenty minutes to go, the home side recorded their first shot on goal. Forestieri weaved his way through the Leeds centre before laying the ball off to Ash Baker who forced a smart save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell who parried the ball behind for a corner.
It was Peacock-Farrell’s opposite number who then received his share of the plaudits. Samuel Saiz hammered a stinging volley towards goal which was tipped over superbly by Dawson.
With the half-time whistle looming, Barry Bannan saw his curling effort bend just too much as his shot whistled past the top right corner.
Wednesday took the lead in spectacular fashion. Adam Reach struck an incredible volley, from the right flank, which cannoned off the post before nestling into the opposite inside netting. Sensational strike!
The half-time whistle sounded shortly after Wednesday’s opener.
Leeds were back on level terms ten minutes after the restart. Klich curled a stunning effort, from twenty-five yards out, beyond the grasp of Cameron Dawson and into the bottom corner.
Peacock-Farrell then pushed academy product Matt Penny’s finely hit shot wide of the mark. Jordan Thorniley headed the following set-piece over the crossbar.
Leeds continued to press and went close once again. Tyler Roberts hit a curling effort, on the swivel, wide of Dawson’s right-hand top corner.
With fifteen minutes to go, Liam Cooper saw his forceful header held at the midriff of Dawson. Leeds regained possession from the keepers clearance and the ball fell to the feet of Harrison who cut in but saw his low driven attempt saved well by Dawson.
Leeds were on top and almost took advantage of a Wednesday error. Bannan gave the ball away to Phillips who quickly threaded it through to Saiz. The tricky midfielder chested it forward and as he pulled the trigger, Tom Lees dove in to block it behind.
Micheal Hector then was alert to hook it away from Roberts at the back post who would have had a certain goal. This was followed by Jordan Thorniley who headed it off the line as Ayling redirected a corner towards goal.
Lucas Joao, with two minutes remaining, disappointingly dragged his shot wide from the corner of the box.
In stoppage time, Adam Reach forced a good stop down low by the Leeds keeper.
The full-time whistle went with the score at one a piece thanks to two sublime finishes from Reach and Klich.
Sheffield Wednesday next face West Brom on Wednesday, 3rd October. Where as on Tuesday, 2nd October, Leeds United travel to Hull City in another Yorkshire Derby.
Attendance: 26,717
Goals: Reach (45’); Klich (54’)
Sheffield Wednesday: Cameron Dawson, Ash Baker (Liam Palmer), Tom Lees, Jordan Thorniley, Matt Penney, Adam Reach, Barry Bannan, Joey Pelupessy, Michael Hector, Fernando Forestieri (Lucas Joao), Steven Fletcher (Atdhe Nuhiu)
Unused Subs: Joe Wildsmith, Issac Rice, Fraser Preston, Josh Onomah
Leeds United: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson, Barry Douglas, Mateusz Klich, Kalvin Phillips, Alioski, Samuel Saiz (Adam Forshaw), Jack Harrison, Tyler Roberts
Unused Subs: Jamal Blackman, Stuart Dallas, Tom Pearce, Lewis Baker, Jamie Shackleton, Jack Clarke
I was there as a Leeds fan. I thought Leeds dominated the match in every department. Whereas the Reach goal was a mistruck fluke, Klitch's was a perfect strike. Leeds fans were left scratching their heads as to how Leeds did not win.
ReplyDeleteLeeds looked very good and are a goalscorer away from winning the league. Leeds should have won that and I’m baffled how lucky we were to snatch a draw. I disagree, Reach has that in his locker!
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