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Leeds
United v West Bromwich Albion
Elland Road, Leeds.
18th January 2003, 3.00pm. |
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A very good point was
earned at Elland Road thanks to a hard-working Albion performance.
The Baggies were well worth the draw and could have snatched it
late had Rennie given us the benefit of the doubt, or had Robinson
not produced a fantastic save from Wallwork. For the first time
this season, we've gained a point we had no right to expect - hopefully
it will be a turning point.
With Roberts suspended, Dobie was alongside Dichio up front. McInnes
returned from suspension to take his place in the middle of the
field in place of Wallwork, who dropped to the bench. Gregan replaced
Sigurdsson in the back three, with Hughes a surprise addition to
the bench. Another change saw Balis replace Chambers at right wing
back.
The first fifteen minutes saw Leeds throw everything at Albion with
only some fine saves from Hoult keeping the visitors level. Albion
looked shell-shocked as Matteo and Bakke both missed the target
when in good positions and then Hoult was called into action when
Viduka squeezed a shot between Moore and Gregan.
Albion's first chance came on 16 minutes with a Clement free kick.
His shot deflected off the wall falling kindly for Dobie, but the
former Carlisle man put his effort inches wide of the post. Albion
were starting to find their feet and Dobie made another chance for
himself when he ran at the defence, found space for a shot but his
final effort was tame and wide.
Hoult's moment of the match came on 26 minutes. He gave Balis the
ball in a poor position and the Slovakian promptly passed the ball
to Lucic. He found Viduka who passed it on to Kewell whose firm
shot was saved superbly by Hoult.
Five minutes later, a fantastic volley from Alan Smith was acrobatically
pushed wide by the on-form Baggies stopper.
Balis limped off on 35 minutes to be replaced by Wallwork. The former
Manchester United man started what was to be his most effective
performance in an Albion shirt with a fine cross that flew along
the six-yard line. Dichio was slow to react but Dobie threw himself
at the ball but could only put it wide of the post.
A mistake by Gilchrist nearly put Viduka in on goal just before
the break, but Gregan managed to out-muscle the big Australian to
allow Hoult to clear.
The second half was completely different as Leeds failed to test
Hoult once. Defensively, Albion were excellent with Gregan, Moore
and Gilchrist calmly dealing with anything the multi-million pound
Leeds attack to muster.
There was very little goalmouth incident in the early part of the
half and Megson changed things by bringing Hughes on for Dobie.
The Ninja showed no sign of his knee injury as he added some much-needed
bite to the Albion attack. He was nearly through on goal on 74 minutes.
As he challenged for the ball with Radebe, the South African appeared
to handle the ball. The Albion plans appealed to Rennie for the
penalty but the referee bizarrely gave a free-kick to Leeds, apparently
for a push by Hughes. AJ complained a little too much and received
a second yellow card to add to the one he received for a foul on
Viduka a couple of minutes before.
But although Leeds pushed on in the latter stages, the ten-man Albion
stood firm and almost snatched it when Wallwork' shot was pushed
over by Robinson. Even the introduction of Robbie Fowler and Richard
Milner to give Leeds a 4-2-4 formation made no difference.
A clean sheet and a rare away point was extremely welcome - for
once Albion got what they deserved.
RESULT - LEEDS UNITED 0 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 0
Marks
Hoult - 8 - Great saves in the first half.
Balis - 6 - Did OK until he was injured.
Clement - 7 - A better performance.
Gregan - 8 - Excellent performance.
Moore - 7 - Good solid game.
Gilchrist - 7 - One or two mistakes, but generally solid.
Koumas - 6 - Quiet game.
Johnson - 6 - Did well until his silly sending off.
McInnes - 6 - Did OK.
Dichio - 6 - Average.
Dobie - 6 - Looked lively early on but missed his chances then faded
away.
Wallwork - 8 - MOM. I've criticised him of late, but he was superb
in an unfamiliar position.
Hughes - 7 - Added some bite and energy to the forward line.
Sigurdsson - 6 - Did OK as a right wing back but I wouldn't want
to make a habit of it.
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Leeds
United (4-4-2):
Robinson; Kelly, Matteo, Radebe, Lucic; Smith, Bakke (S Johnson
69), Okon (Fowler 79), Wilcox (Milner 69); Viduka, Kewell. Subs
not used: Martyn (GK), Mills. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Moore, Gilchrist; Balis (Wallwork 35), McInnes, Koumas
(Sigurdsson 77), Johnson, Clement; Dobie (Hughes 63), Dichio. Subs
not used: Murphy (GK), Udeze.
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Bookings: Leeds United
- Smith (foul 80). West Bromwich Albion - Johnson (foul 71).
Sending Off: West Bromwich Albion - Johnson (dissent - second yellow
card 74).
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)
Attendance: 39,708 |
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