On the way to glory

2 February 2013
Last updated at 19:00


Bristol City held promotion chasing Leeds United to a 0-0 draw at Elland Road today, in a game of very few chances.

Leeds United manager Phil Walker made five changes from the FA Cup win at Brentford, out went Jamie Ashdown, Patrick Kisnorbo, Sam Byram, Simon Lenighan and Dominic Poleon, with Paddy Kenny, Lee Peltier, David Norris, Rodolph Austin and Ross McCormack replacing them.

Bristol City made four changes from the 2-0 win over Birmingham City two weeks ago, out went Greg Cunningham, James Wilson, Chris Basham and Stephen Pearson, with Richard Foster, Cole Skuse, Garry Monk and Steven Davies replacing them.

The first chance of the match fell to the visiting side, with left-back Richard Foster going close with a low shot. The chance for defender Foster was created by Jon Stead, the striker picked the ball up from a Marvin Elliott pass, before laying it into the run of Foster, who knocked the ball past the tackle from Lee Peltier, before smashing a shot just over the crossbar.

The next chance of the match came ten minutes later, with Luciano Becchio clipping the top of the crossbar with a header. The chance for the Leeds United striker was created by Tom Lees, he played a long ball from his own half, that ball found Becchio who was in behind The Robins defence, but he looped a header onto the top of the crossbar and over.

It was the home side who had the next chance of the match, with Ramon Nunez forcing a good save out of Tom Heaton. The chance for the home side came on 58 minutes, after Nunez was found on the edge of the box by Aidan White, he then cut inside before curling a shot towards goal, which Heaton did well to save and hold onto the ball.

The final chance of the match fell to the visitors, with striker Jon Stead wasting a great chance to win the match. The chance for the Bristol City striker was created by Cole Skuse, he won the ball in a tackle on David Norris, before slotting it into the run of Stead, and he hit a low shot which clipped the foot of the post, before going behind for a goal kick.

Full time at Elland Road and it has ended goalless this afternoon, with Jon Stead having the best chance of the match, with him clipping the post in the last five minutes. Leeds United remain in second place in the table with this draw, while Bristol City drop into eighth place.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the draw. "This was just one of those games where nothing went right for us, but thankfully nothing went wrong neither, so a point was a fair result for both sides.

"We now face a trip to bottom of the table Charlton Athletic next weekend, and we know that will be a big game, before travelling to West Brom in the FA Cup."

Bristol City manager, Derek McInnes, on picking up a point today. "Coming to Elland Road is always a tough task, especially with them in second place in the table, and having only lost twice at home this season, but we put in a good display this afternoon, and we were very unlucky not to pick up all three points.

"Hopefully with 15 games remaining this season, we can continue our good form, and maybe clinch a play-off spot, but we have to take each game as it comes."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees, Pearce (Green 53), White, Norris, Austin (Abeid 59), Nunez, Thomas, McCormack, Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Pugh, Byram, Varney, Tonge.
Booked. Austin.

Bristol City starting line-up (4-4-2). Heaton, M. Wilson, McGregor, Monk (Carey 45), Foster, Adomah, Skuse (c), Elliott, Davies (Woolford 45), Stead, Baldock (Pitman 74).
Subs not used. Gerken (gk), J. Wilson, Basham, Gower.

Attendance. 24,674.
Referee. Neil Swarbrick.
Man of the Match. Jason Pearce (Leeds United), rated at 7.7 over 53 minutes. The Leeds United centre-back may have only played 53 minutes today, but he was the best player out there, and controlled the match while he was on the pitch from the centre-back position.

2 February 2013
Last updated at 22:55


Sheffield Wednesday have tonight appointed Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton as their new manager.

The South Yorkshire side have been struggling all season at the wrong end of the table, and after their 2-0 defeat away to Watford this afternoon, their fans are looking over their shoulders even more now.

It has taken Wednesday over a month to replace Dave Jones with a permanent manager, with ex-striker John Sheridan taking over in a caretaker role in December, and he will now go back to his old role, which is as a first-team coach.

In terms of the contract that Appleton has signed, he has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2015, thought to be worth £8,750-per-week, with Wednesday fans hoping he can keep the club up this season, with 15 games remaining this season.

Appleton, 37, will have a tough start to life at Hillsborough, his first game is a home fixture with fellow strugglers Cardiff City, then he faces high-flying Leeds United at home, before trips to Birmingham City and Hull City, and his fifth game in charge is at home to Blackpool, so all five of those games will be tough and crucial for The Owls.

In terms of who could replace Appleton at Fratton Park, nobody is the favourite for the job, but managers like ex-Charlton Athletic boss Chris Powell, ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones and ex-Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell, have been linked with the vacancy.

9 February 2013
Last updated at 18:50


Leeds United were lucky to claim all three points this afternoon against Charlton Athletic, with Luke Varney scoring the only goal of the game, in the first minute of the match.

Charlton Athletic came into this clash on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Birmingham City, and manager Karl Robinson made two changes from that game, out went Andy Hughes and Salim Kerkar, with Chris Solly and Dale Stephens replacing them.

Leeds United manager Phil Walker made six changes from the draw with Bristol City, with rumours indicating he was resting a number of players for the FA Cup clash at West Brom next weekend, out went Aidan White, Jason Pearce, David Norris, Rodolph Austin, Ramon Nunez and Ross McCormack all making way, with Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Sam Byram, Paul Green, Michael Tonge and Luke Varney coming in.

The visitors took the lead in the opening minute, with attacker Luke Varney finding the net, with his seventh strike of the season, against one of his former clubs. The goal for The Whites came from a dreadful mistake by the hosts, attacker Chuks Aneke played a slack ball back to keeper Ben Hamer, which Varney latched onto, and the number 11 calmly slotted the ball home.

The home side created their first chance of the match on 29 minutes, when Yann Kermorgant went close with a low shot. The chance for The Addicks was created by Chuks Aneke, the attacker was found by a pass from Jonathan Greening, he then slotted the ball in Kermorgant, who then hit a low drive across the goal mouth, which Paddy Kenny tipped wide of the far post.

The next chance of the match fell to the visitors, with midfielder Michael Tonge going close on 51 minutes. The chance for Tonge was created by Luciano Becchio, the Argentinian striker received the ball from a Sam Byram pass, before passing it back to Tonge, and the striker took a touch before hitting a low drive, which Ben Hamer did well to save down low to his right.

The final decent chance of the game came on 65 minutes, when Johnnie Jackson brought a save out of Paddy Kenny. The chance for The Addicks midfielder was created by striker Danny Haynes, he had just come on for Jordan Cook, and Haynes pulled the ball back to Jackson, but he could only hit a shot along the deck, which was straight at keeper Paddy Kenny.

At the final whistle here at The Valley, Charlton Athletic will feel they could have grabbed a point here, with Leeds United not at their best this afternoon, but it did seem that manager Phil Walker had one eye on the clash with West Brom next weekend, with a host of first-team regulars being rested.

Charlton Athletic manager, Karl Robinson, on the defeat. "I feel that we were very unlucky this afternoon to lose this match, they (Leeds United) were not at their best this afternoon, and we certainly created the chances, but failed to convert them.

"We might be bottom of the league, but with a couple of wins and good performances, we can get ourselves out of this position."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the victory. "Well that was not our best performance this season by a long way, but we have picked up all three points this afternoon, which is the main thing, as this win keeps us on the chase for promotion.

"In terms of the match next weekend, yes I did start a weakened line-up today for that match, but that is because I believe we have a great chance of victory at West Brom, but need our best players 100% fit.

"In terms of the youngsters who came off the bench today (Monty Gimpel and Simon Lenighan), I believe they have a very bright future ahead of them, both have made their debuts already this season, and both could feature more in the remainder of the season, along with a number of other younger faces, as we have a number of young faces who could have a bright future ahead of them."

Charlton Athletic starting line-up (4-2-3-1). Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins, Jackson (c), Stephens, Cook (Haynes 62), Aneke (Green 45), Greening (Hollands 56), Kermorgant.
Subs not used. Button (gk), Evina, Kerkar, Cort.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees (Gimpel 86), Kisnorbo, Drury, Byram (Abeid 58), Green, Tonge, Thomas (Lenighan 78), Becchio, Varney.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Thompson, White, McCormack.
Goal. Varney 1.

Attendance. 12,956.
Referee. Richard Townsend.
Man of the Match. Dorian Dervite (Charlton Athletic), rated at 8.2 over 90 minutes. Leeds United were kept quiet all afternoon thanks to a good performance by Dervite, he timed his tackles to perfection, and made sure the opposition strikers were hurried all afternoon.

12 February 2013
Last updated at 15:20


Owen Coyle has this afternoon departed Bolton Wanderers, with the manager leaving to take charge at Sunderland.

Coyle, 46, has left a club who are seventh place in the npower Championship, and just two points off the play-off places, to take over a Sunderland side, who are currently two points off safety in the Barclays Premier League.

The Scottish-born manager had been at the Reebok Stadium since January 2010, after joining from bitter rivals Burnley, and The Trotters fans were hoping they could bounce straight back into the top flight this season, after relegation last season, but if they are to get promoted this season, they will have to do it without Coyle.

The Black Cats have handed Coyle a deal until 2015, worth a reported £25,000-per-week, with the Sunderland supporters hoping the new manager can keep them up this season, with 11 games remaining this season.

It will be a difficult start to life at The Stadium of Light, with trips to fellow strugglers Reading and Wigan Athletic up first, then they home ties against Fulham and Manchester United, before facing a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.

Rumours have already started as to who will replace Coyle as manager of Bolton Wanderers, with Tony Mowbray, Kenny Jackett and Dougie Freedman being linked with the job, but it seems Mick McCarthy is the favourite for the job.

Four youth players agree professional deals.

Last updated: February 15, 2013 2:25pm.





Four youngsters have this week agreed senior deals at Leeds United.

Two of the youngsters have signed their first professional deals in football, while the other two players have agreed pre-contract agreements, with their new deals starting when they reach their 17th birthday.

The two youngsters to have signed senior deals this week are midfielder Tyler Denton, and goalkeeper Dan Atkinson. Both players are rumoured to have big futures at Elland Road, and first-team manager Phil Walker has seen that in them, with him handing them both contracts until 2015.

The two players who have signed pre-contract agreements are left-back Smith Tiesse, and striker Eoghan Stokes. It is thought both players will sign deals until June 2016, when they turn born 17-years-old, with Tiesse turning 17 in March, and Stokes turning 17 in May.

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Walker speaks ahead of the FA Cup clash this weekend.

Last updated: February 15, 2013 6:45pm.





Sky Sports News spoke to Leeds United manager Phil Walker earlier today, with the manager giving a rare interview ahead of the FA Cup clash away to West Brom, which takes place tomorrow afternoon.

Ex-footballer Walker, 40, has been in charge at Elland Road since July 2012, but has not even given an interview yet since taking charge, with him looking to try and get Leeds United promoted back into the Barclays Premier League, but with the club second in the npower Championship, and in the fifth round of the FA Cup, that has changed today, with him speaking to Sky Sports News earlier today.

Thanks for taking time to speak to us Phil, how come it has taken you so long to speak to the media?

"It is not a problem me speaking to you today, the reason why it has taken me so long to speak to the media, is because I have been focussing on the football side of things, and in my opinion that is the number one thing in football."

Every Leeds United fan wants to see their club back in the Premier League, and with you doing so well this season, do you believe that promotion is on the cards this season?

"Well I am not going to count our chickens too early, but we are six points clear of Blackpool who are in third place, although at the same time we have 14 games remaining this season, so there is a long way to go yet, but we are in a strong position. If you had offered me where we are today in July, I would have took this, as I am a local lad myself, so I would love to get my local team promoted back into the Premier League."

You have a big match tomorrow away to West Brom, what do you think your chances are of winning this tie, and if you win how far do you think you can get?

"Of course this is a big match although we do have bigger games coming up, especially with the league being our priority. I have exceeded the board's expectations for the FA Cup this season, but I feel we have a great chance of getting into the last eight of this competition, and maybe even reaching the last four, especially with the likes of Wolves, Charlton Athletic, Peterborough United and Cardiff City left in the competition, so we do have a strong chance of reaching the last four and a chance to play at Wembley."

Your transfer activity in January was slow, with only Michael Tonge joining permanently, but was losing El-Hadji Diouf a big blow?

"Losing (El-Hadji) Dioufy was a massive blow for us, as he is a player with great quality, but the wages he was asking for I was not willing to match, but he has gone now and that is all that matters. As for players coming in, yes January was quiet with only Michael (Tonge) joining permanently, but I will not sign a player just for the sake of it, he has to be the right player for the team, but we will be adding to the squad in the summer."

Talking of the summer and future transfer windows, what type of players will you be targeting, will they be younger or experienced players?

"I do not have a particular kind of player I will be looking to sign in the future, I will look to add young and experienced players to my squad, but they will have to be the right player to fit into my team, and I will not be signing players who are just looking for their last pay check."

You have just mentioned signing younger players, you do have a number of youngsters rumoured to have bright futures, will they be getting their break in the near future?

"Well you have already seen a number of youngsters make their debuts this season (Sam Byram, Dominic Poleon, Simon Lenighan and Monty Gimpel), and there are a number of youngsters who have bright futures ahead of them, but it is just finding the right time to introduce them to the first-team, so it could be next season when the other youngsters get their debuts, but if they are to make it under me as a first-team regular, they will have to keep their feet on the ground."

Your contract comes to an end at the end of the season, have you begun negotiations on a new deal yet?

"I have not yet begun negotiations on a new deal with the board, but I am hoping to start them soon, as I want to be with this club for a number of years, spend time at this club like David Moyes has at Everton, or Arsene Wenger has at Arsenal, and hopefully help to bring the good times back to Elland Road."

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16 February 2013
Last updated at 19:10


Premier League side West Brom were dumped out of the FA Cup this afternoon, with Championship side Leeds United winning 2-0 in the West Midlands.

West Brom came into this FA Cup tie on the back of a 2-0 defeat here to Everton, so manager Ian Holloway made two changes from that match, out went David Bentley and Claudio Yacob, with Peter Odemwingie and George Thorne coming in.

Leeds United manager Phil Walker made five changes from the win at Charlton Athletic, out went Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Sam Byram, Jerome Thomas and Michael Tonge, with Aidan White, Jason Pearce, Rodolph Austin, David Norris and Ross McCormack coming in.

The home side had the first opportunity of the match, with centre-back Jonas Olsson putting a header wide of the goal. The chance for the Swedish-born centre-back was created by a free-kick, the ball was whipped into the box by Graham Dorrans, and Olsson put his head to the ball, but put it wide of the goal.

The next chance of the match came two minutes later, with West Brom yet again having a good chance, with Graham Dorrans rattling the crossbar on 11 minutes. The chance for Dorrans was created by Youssuf Mulumbu, the Congolese midfielder knocked the ball into the feet of Dorrans, he then took a touch before hitting a rising drive, but that shot rattled back off the crossbar with Paddy Kenny beaten.

The visitors found the back of the net with their first real chance of the match, with striker Davide Somma getting the goal, after over eleven hours of football without scoring a goal. The move leading up to the goal was started by David Norris, the Leeds United midfielder nicked the ball from George Thorne, before playing the ball into Rodolph Austin, he then slotted it into the feet of Ross McCormack, who left West Brom centre-back Craig Dawson standing, and then slotted the ball into the run of Somma, who drove a low shot beyond the diving Ben Foster and into the net.

The next chance in the match did not come until ten minutes into the second-half, but the away side doubled their lead with that chance, with Rodolph Austin scoring their second goal. The goal was this time created by striker Davide Somma, he had begun the match from the bench but replaced Luciano Becchio on 18 minutes, after he limped off with a gashed leg, and the South African striker was found by a pass from Paul Green, before knocking the ball into the run of Austin, who took a touch before smashing home a shot from the edge of the box, which flew past Ben Foster and into the net for 2-0.

The home side had a great chance on 62 minutes, but Paddy Kenny made a good save to deny Shane Long. The West Brom striker was brought on straight after the second goal for Leeds United, to replace fellow striker Romelu Lukaku, and he should have done better after seizing on a mistake by Luke Varney, who tried heading the ball back to Kenny, but Long beat Tom Lees in the air, but could only head straight at the Leeds United goalkeeper.

Leeds United had the final good chance of the match, with midfielder Paul Green going close with 16 minutes remaining. The chance was created by another good passing move from The Whites, Tom Lees started the move by playing the ball into David Norris, he then played it out wide to Luke Varney, who then crossed the ball into striker Ross McCormack, the striker then flicked the ball into the path of Green, who fired his shot just wide of the near post.

The visitors ended the FA Cup tie with just ten men, after Lee Peltier was forced off like Luciano Becchio and Jason Pearce with an injury, and it looked a bad one as Peltier was stretchered down the tunnel, with him holding his hip while going down the tunnel, after his clash with Youssuf Mulumbu.

Full time at The Hawthorns and Leeds United continue their run in the FA Cup this season, with a deserved 2-0 victory this afternoon, thanks to goals from Davide Somma and Rodolph Austin. West Brom fans were leaving with 20 minutes remaining in this match, but the visitors end has stayed full all afternoon, and the Leeds United players thanked the fans at the end.

West Brom manager, Ian Holloway, on the FA Cup upset. "Of course going out to lower league opposition is always disappointing, but Leeds United were the better side out there this afternoon, and despite losing three of their key players, they still managed to clinch a win, so my hat goes off to them for that.

"This defeat though could be a blessing in disguise for us, we are just outside the drop zone in the Premier League, and this now gives us the opportunity to concentrate on staying up."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on beating a Premier League side. "Well I am absolutely delighted with this victory this afternoon, we thoroughly deserved this victory, and it shows what the lads are capable of, so bring on the next round and whoever we get.

"The lads have been magnificent this season, we have been doing better than expected in the league, we have also done great in this competition aswell, and this win today has just shown what our lads can do.

"Losing the three lads to injury (Lee Peltier, Jason Pearce and Luciano Becchio) is highly disappointing, as they are key players, but we will just have to wait and see what the outcome of their injuries are, but hopefully they will not be out for too long."

West Brom starting line-up (4-2-3-1). Foster, Reid, Dawson, Olsson, Ridgewell, Thorne (Jara 71), Mulumbu, Odemwingie, Dorrans, Brunt (c), Lukaku (Long 55).
Subs not used. Myhill (gk), Rosenberg, El Ghanassy, Popov, McAuley.
Booked. Reid, Mulumbu.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Peltier (c), Lees, Pearce (Thompson 83), White, Green, Austin (Byram 63), Norris (c), Varney, McCormack, Becchio (Somma 18).
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Pugh, Kisnorbo, Tonge.
Goals. Somma 37, Austin 55.
Booked. Austin, Norris.

Attendance. 25,104.
Referee. Lee Probert.
Man of the Match. Davide Somma (Leeds United), rated at 8.3 over 72 minutes. The away fans must have been worried when Luciano Becchio limped off on 18 minutes, but his replacement was certainly up to the job, with him causing problems all afternoon and scoring one goal and grabbing one assist.

Becchio and Peltier pick up injuries in FA Cup win.

Last updated: February 17, 2013 11:10am.





Leeds United have this morning confirmed that they will be without Luciano Becchio and Lee Peltier for a number of weeks, after the pair picked up injuries in the 2-0 FA Cup win at West Brom yesterday.

Top scorer Becchio, 29, will be out for between two and three weeks, after he picked up a gashed leg at The Hawthorns, which came after a late tackle by West Brom centre-back Craig Dawson.

Club skipper Peltier, 26, will be out of action for a lot longer that team-mate Becchio, after the full-back left the pitch with a hip injury yesterday, and is expected to be out for between two and three months, which means he could miss the rest of the current campaign.

Another player The Whites will be without is midfielder Mehdi Abeid, whose loan spell has finished today with the club, and has returned to Newcastle United. The Algerian featured just two times for the West Yorkshire club, with both them games coming off the bench in the league.

Leeds United will find out later today who they will get in the next round of the FA Cup, with the draw taking place after the Tottenham Hotspur versus Charlton Athletic match, at White Hart Lane.

FA Cup Quarter-Final draw is made.

Last updated: February 17, 2013 6:00pm.





The draw was made this evening for the FA Cup Quarter-Final, with just two teams outside the Premier League left in the competition.

The tie of the round will definitely be at Old Trafford, with Manchester United taking on bitter rivals Liverpool, for a place in the semi-finals, which will be played at Wembley. The two rivals will play each two times in a week, with Manchester United travelling to Anfield just five days later.

Premier League holders and leaders Manchester City will also be at home, they will host Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium, with the West Yorkshire side hoping to claim another win against a Premier League side in this competition, after knocking West Brom out in the last round.

Cardiff City or Norwich City have been drawn at home, and they will face either Aston Villa or Arsenal, with all four teams being involved in a replay.

The other Quarter-Final that was drawn will take place at White Hart Lane, with Tottenham Hotspur taking on Everton, with both clubs believing they have a good chance of winning the competition this season.

The ties will take place the weekend beginning the 9th of March.

The FA Cup Quarter-Final draw in full.
Cardiff City or Norwich City v Aston Villa or Arsenal.
Manchester City v Leeds United.
Manchester United v Liverpool.
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton.

MIDDLESBROUGH MATCH IS RE-ARRANGED.

17 February 2013.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Boro match moved due to the FA Cup.



We would like to inform our fans this evening that the match against Middlesbrough has been re-arranged.

The match was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday the 9th of March, but with us visiting Manchester City that afternoon, in the FA Cup, it has been put back to Wednesday the 13th of March.

We will be looking to do the double over Boro, having taken all three points at The Riverside Stadium with a 2-1 win, when we visited there in November.

LEWIS TURNER DEPARTS.

18 February 2013.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Youngster joins Guiseley until the end of the season.



Young defender Lewis Turner has today left the club on loan, with him joining local side Guiseley.

Turner, 20, has joined the Blue Square Bet North side until the end of the season, with him looking to grab some experience at first-team level in football, and also try and help Guiseley win promotion this season, with the club two points off the play-off places, in there league.

This will be the first time Turner has been separated from his twin Nathan during his football career, but he will be relishing getting some first-team experience.

19 February 2013
Last updated at 23:15


Leeds United were fortunate to take all three points away from Hillsborough, with the West Yorkshire side winning 2-1 away to Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Michael Appleton named an unchanged side from the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City, with the new boss hoping to record his first win, since taking over at Hillsborough.

Leeds United came to Hillsborough for this Yorkshire derby on the back of a 2-0 win at West Brom, in the FA Cup, and manager Phil Walker made six changes from that win, out went Lee Peltier, Jason Pearce, Luke Varney, Rodolph Austin, David Norris and Luciano Becchio, with Sam Byram, Patrick Kisnorbo, Jerome Thomas, Simon Lenighan, Michael Tonge and Davide Somma coming in.

The night started off badly for the men from West Yorkshire, with striker Davide Somma going off with a nasty looking arm injury after just four minutes, after a clash with Sheffield Wednesday right-back Lewis Buxton.

The first opportunity to put the ball in the net came on 18 minutes, with Leeds United attacker Jerome Thomas forcing a good save from Chris Kirkland. The chance for Thomas, 29, was created by ex-Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge, he received the ball from Tom Lees, before playing it into the run of Thomas, who then hit a rising shot which was going in, until Kirkland got there to tip it over.

Sheffield Wednesday had the next opportunity in this Yorkshire derby, with Kieran Lee going close. The chance came from a passing move by The Owls, with Rhys McCabe playing the ball out wide to Lee, and he then cut inside before hitting a powerful shot, which went just over the crossbar with Paddy Kenny beaten.

The visitors took the lead with seven minutes of the first-half left, and it was Ross McCormack who found the net for them. The goal came from a bad defensive error by the home side, defender Anthony Gardner tried to clear the ball forward, but that cannoned off Jerome Thomas into the path of Michael Tonge, he then slipped the ball into the box which Martin Taylor received, but he had the ball stole off him by McCormack, who slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

The next chance of the match did not come until the 61st minute, with Chris Kirkland somehow denying Aidan White a goal. The chance for White was created from a Paul Green cross, he put a dangerous cross in from out wide on the right, and that found Aidan White in the six-yard box, who headed the ball powerfully at goal, but somehow Chris Kirkland denied him by tipping the header over.

Leeds United doubled their lead from the resulting corner, with Patrick Kisnorbo grabbing his first goal of the season. The corner was taken by the player who scored the first goal, Ross McCormack, he put in a cross into the middle of the penalty area, and Kisnorbo headed home to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

The hosts had a great chance with two minutes left of normal time to equalise, but Paddy Kenny made a good save to deny Gary Madine. The chance for The Owls striker was created by Abdul Razak, he skipped past a challenge from Simon Lenighan, and then slotted the ball into striker Madine, who fired a low drive across the face of the Leeds United goal, but Paddy Kenny was there to tip it wide with his fingertips.

The Owls pulled a goal back in injury time, with striker Gary Madine firing home a volley. The move for the goal was actually started by the goal scorer, he won the ball in a 50-50 challenge with Michael Tonge, before passing it back to Daniel Jones, he then hit a 30 yard pass into the run of Liam Palmer, who brought the pass down and crossed it into the area, and that found Madine who fired home a volley past Paddy Kenny.

Full time here at Hillsborough and Leeds United will take all three points back up the M1 to West Yorkshire, after winning here tonight 2-1, thanks to goals from Ross McCormack and Patrick Kisnorbo, Gary Madine pulled a goal back for The Owls, but it was too little too late for them and Leeds United continue their march back to the Premier League.

Sheffield Wednesday manager, Michael Appleton, on the loss tonight. "I felt we were more than worthy of getting a point here tonight, we pushed Leeds United all throughout the match, and if there goalkeeper (Paddy Kenny) was not in such good form, then we would have at least drawn the match tonight."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on winning the Yorkshire derby. "It is great to get all three points in this Yorkshire derby tonight, but to be honest we were poor tonight, and very lucky to come away with all three points, but if you are going for promotion then sometimes you need that luck to be with you.

"The young lad (Simon Lenighan) yet again played well for us tonight, and he made his full league debut tonight, so he could be a first-team regular for next season, but I am disappointed to have lost Davide (Somma) early on, he is the fourth player we now have injured, I am just hoping the scan he goes for comes back with good news, because we need him at the moment."

Sheffield Wednesday starting line-up (4-4-2). Kirkland, Buxton, Taylor (Razak 74), Gardner, Johnson (c), Lee (Palmer 85), McCabe, Semedo, Jones, Madine, Rodri (Pecnik 67).
Subs not used. Bywater (gk), O'Grady, Antonio, Beevers.
Goal. Madine 90+2.
Booked. Razak.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Byram, Lees, Kisnorbo (c), White, Green (Norris 74), Lenighan, Tonge, Thomas (Pugh 54), McCormack, Somma (Varney 4).
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Thompson, Gimpel, Austin.
Goals. McCormack 38, Kisnorbo 62.
Booked. Lenighan.

Attendance. 23,079.
Referee. Keith Stroud.
Man of the Match. Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United), rated at 8.1 over 90 minutes. The Leeds United centre-back may not be first choice these days, but he put in a good performance tonight, helping his side to all three points, while helping skipper the team.

Somma ruled out for around seven weeks.

Last updated: February 20, 2013 9:15am.





Leeds United striker Davide Somma has been ruled out for up to seven weeks, after sustaining a broken arm last night.

South African striker Somma, 27, went off after just four minutes in the 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday last night, and it has been confirmed this morning by the club, that he has sustained a broken arm in that victory, and will be out for up to seven weeks.

This means he will miss the trip to Premier League holders Manchester City, in the FA Cup, along with a number of key games in the npower Championship, as his club will be looking to get back into the Premier League.

This injury to Somma, means the West Yorkshire club have a shortage of strikers, with manager Phil Walker only having Ross McCormack and Luke Varney to choose from, so he could venture into the loan market.

The injury treatment room is currently busy at Elland Road, with Somma joining Luciano Becchio, Lee Peltier, Michael Brown, Robbie Rogers and Ramon Nunez who are all currently out injured, but centre-back Leigh Bromby has returned to training today.

21 February 2013
Last updated at 13:30


Bolton Wanderers have named ex-Wolves boss Mick McCarthy as their new manager.

Barnsley-born McCarthy, has this afternoon been confirmed as the new boss at the Reebok Stadium, after former boss Owen Coyle departed nine days ago, to take over at struggling Premier League side Sunderland.

The Lancashire club are currently in the play-off places in the npower Championship, and are just ten points off Leeds United, who are second in the table, with The Trotters fans hoping they can bounce straight back into the top flight, after relegation last season.

In terms of the deal that McCarthy has signed with the club, he has signed a deal until June 2015, worth a reported £8,000-per-week, with the board hoping he can get them promoted this season.

McCarthy, 54, will face local and fierce rivals Blackburn Rovers away in his first week, his side then have to travel to Ipswich Town, before a home tie against Leicester City, before being on the ride again when travelling to face Brighton, before facing Peterborough United at the Reebok Stadium.

26 February 2013
Last updated at 22:50


Burnley beat Leeds United tonight to take all three points back over the Pennines, thanks to a header from centre-back David Edgar.

Leeds United came into the match tonight on the back of a 2-1 win away to Sheffield Wednesday, manager Phil Walker made five changes from that win, out went Sam Byram, Aidan White, Jerome Thomas, Simon Lenighan and Davide Somma, with Jason Pearce, Adam Drury, Danny Pugh, David Norris and Luke Varney coming in.

Burnley came into this game at Elland Road on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Hull City, in came midfielder Dean Marney, and he replaced striker Martin Paterson who has not scored this season, in the starting line-up.

The game started off a slow one, with the first chance of the game not coming until the 21st minute, and that chance fell to the home side, with Ross McCormack testing Lee Grant. The opportunity for the Leeds United striker was created by David Norris, he picked the ball up from a clearance by Paddy Kenny, before slotting it into the feet of McCormack, and he then skipped away from Michael Duff, and hit a low shot at goal, which Grant saved with his left foot.

The away side had their first chance of the match four minutes later, and David Edgar put the ball in the net, to give his side the lead. The goal was created from a corner out on the left, midfielder David Carney whipped the ball into the box, and that ball found centre-back Edgar, who rose the highest to head home via the underside of the crossbar.

The home side had a good chance to equalise from a corner just before half-time, but Patrick Kisnorbo was denied. The chance for Kisnorbo was created from a set-piece, Danny Pugh whipped a free-kick in from the right wing, which found Kisnorbo but he headed down into the ground, and straight at Lee Grant.

The game in whole was a quiet affair, and there was only one real chance of the second-half, with Ross McCormack having that chance. The chance for the Scottish international was created by David Norris, he beat Burnley goal scorer David Edgar in the air, to knock down a Jason Pearce clearance, and McCormack controlled the ball before firing a shot just over the bar, with Lee Grant beaten.

At the end of a rather boring match here tonight at Elland Road, it is Burnley who have picked up all three points, thanks to a header from centre-back David Edgar. This defeat means the home side will stay in second, but the visitors move up into the top half of the table.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the defeat. "This result tonight for us was a highly disappointing one, we never got going out there tonight, and they (Burnley) punished us for our slack ways.

"We will next face Wolves on Friday night, this will be a big game for us, as if results go against us tomorrow night and on Saturday afternoon, then clubs can close the gap on us."

Burnley manager, Eddie Howe, on winning at Elland Road. "This was a good win for the lads tonight, coming to Leeds United was always going to be tough for us, they are having a great season, so to pick up all three points tonight was great.

"We are now in 12th place in the table, and we are also just seven points off the play-off places, so I am hoping we can make a late run for a place in the top six."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Lees, Kisnorbo (c) (Thompson 63), Pearce, Drury, Green, Norris (c), Tonge (Nunez 78), Pugh (Thomas 78), McCormack, Varney.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Gimpel, White, Lenighan.

Burnley starting line-up (4-5-1). Grant, Connolly, Edgar, Duff, Lafferty, Trippier, Marney, Bartley (Mee 84), McCann (c), Carney, Vokes.
Subs not used. Siegrist (gk), Mills, Long, Stanislas, Paterson, Wallace.
Goal. Edgar 25.
Booked. Bartley.

Attendance. 21,492.
Referee. Mike Jones.
Man of the Match. David Edgar (Burnley), rated at 8.4 over 90 minutes. The Burnley centre-back was the reason they got three points tonight, he scored the only goal of the match, but also kept the home side quiet when they attacked.

February awards announced in the npower Championship.

Last updated: March 1, 2013 10:40am.





The winners of the npower Championship awards have been announced for February, with two of the awards going to players at Blackpool.

The awards for Player and Young Player of the Month went to Bloomfield Road, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher winning the Player of the Month award, while winger Matt Phillips won the Young Player of the Month award. The Manager of the Month award has gone to Alan Curbishley, after he guided Blackburn Rovers to three wins in four games in February. While the Goal of the Month has gone to Chris McCann, for his strike for Burnley at Cardiff City, in their 2-1 victory.

For another month it is Wolves and Leeds United who are in the top two, with Wolves 12 points clear of Leeds United, but those two take on each other at Elland Road tonight, but it looks likely that Wolves will win the league this season. In the play-off places are Blackpool, Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest, with all those teams having played in the Premier League, and looking to get back there for next season. At the other end of the table in the drop zone, it is Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic, but as you can see it is very tight down there, and could go to the last day of the season.

Manager of the Month. Alan Curbishley (Blackburn Rovers).
Player of the Month. Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Blackpool).
Young Player of the Month. Matt Phillips (Blackpool).
Goal of the Month. Chris McCann. Cardiff City v Burnley.

1 March 2013
Last updated at 23:15


Leeds United claimed a vital win in their push for promotion at home to Wolves tonight, with midfielder Paul Green scoring the only goal of the match.

Leeds United came into this match on the back of a defeat at home to Burnley, and manager Phil Walker made four changes from that match, out went Tom Lees, Paul Green, Danny Pugh and David Norris, with Sam Byram, Jerome Thomas, Aidan White and Rodolph Austin replacing them.

Wolves came into this game on the back of a win against Birmingham City at home, but manager Stale Solbakken made two changes from that match, out went Richard Stearman and Adam Hammill, with Christophe Berra and Kevin Foley replacing them.

The first chance of the match fell to the home side, with Michael Tonge firing his shot just wide of the goal. The chance for the Leeds United midfielder was created by Adam Drury, the left-back played the ball into the feet of Tonge, who turned and ran at the opposition defence, before firing a rising shot just wide of the goal.

Wolves were forced into a substitution on 16 minutes, when midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker twisted his ankle in a challenge with Rodolph Austin, off he went to be replaced by Tongo Doumbia.

Just 12 minutes later and Leeds United like Wolves had lost a midfielder to injury, with Rodolph Austin limping off the pitch with a thigh injury, to be replaced by fellow midfielder Paul Green, who would go on to score the winning goal in the match.

Leeds United took the lead just three minutes after that substitution, with Paul Green finding the net with his shot. The assist for the goal went to attacker Luke Varney, he received the ball in the box from a pass by Aidan White, he then hit a low shot across goal which Wayne Hennessey could only push away, and the ball fell kindly to Green, who smashed home a shot into the roof of the net.

The first chance after the break went to the away side, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake forcing a good save from Paddy Kenny. The chance for the Wolves striker was created by Stephen Ward, he broke away down the left flank and skipped past Sam Byram to whip a cross in, and that found Ebanks-Blake who headed down towards the bottom right corner, but Kenny tipped the header wide.

Wolves had the ball in the net on 74 minutes, but the goal scored by left-back Stephen Ward, was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. The move started from an out swinging corner taken by Stephen Hunt, that found Tongo Doumbia in the box, who headed the ball towards goal, and Ward barged into the oncoming Kenny to head home, but the linesman had his flag up and the goal was ruled out.

The away side were reduced to ten men just two minutes later, when midfielder and skipper Karl Henry was red carded. Experienced midfielder Henry, 30, was already on a yellow card, when he decided to push Michael Tonge, after a fair tackle by the Leeds United midfielder, so that meant the second yellow was out, and Henry was off.

From the resulting free-kick, the home side had the ball in the net again, but Luke Varney saw his header ruled out for offside. The free-kick was taken by striker Ross McCormack, he put the ball into the penalty area towards Jason Pearce, he then flicked the ball on and found Varney, who beat Christophe Berra in the air and headed it at goal, and that went in off the underside of the crossbar, but it was ruled out for offside.

At the final whistle the Leeds United players looked relieved to take this victory, against top of the table Wolves, thanks to a strike from midfielder Paul Green, who scored his third goal of the season tonight.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the victory. "This is a great result for us tonight, as we have beaten the side who are running away at the top of this league, so to beat them is a great feeling, but we was lucky at times that is for certain.

"We now have some difficult fixtures coming up, including Manchester City away in the FA Cup, but the league is the most important thing for us, as we are in a great position to win promotion this season."

Wolves manager, Stale Solbakken, on the defeat. "Of course losing a match is never a good thing, but we remain nine points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand on those clubs below us.

"I am very confident we can win this league this season, especially with the quality we have in our squad."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Byram, Kisnorbo (c), Pearce, Drury (Pugh 56), Thomas, Austin (Green 28), Tonge (Thompson 84), White, McCormack, Varney.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Lees, Norris, Nunez.
Goal. Green 31.
Booked. Tonge, Green.

Wolves starting line-up (4-4-2). Hennessey, Zubar, Berra, Johnson (Stearman 76), Ward (c), Foley, Henry (c), Reo-Coker (Doumbia 16), Hunt, Ebanks-Blake (Elokobi 61), Doyle.
Subs not used. Flatt (gk), Peszko, Doherty, Margreitter.
Booked. Henry, Hunt.
Sent off. Henry.

Attendance. 24,312.
Referee. Phil Dowd.
Man of the Match. Jason Pearce (Leeds United), rated at 7.7 over 90 minutes. The centre-back put in a great shift tonight at the back, and helped his club to keep a clean sheet.

Updates still looking good mate

Cheers Fola, am glad you are still reading my story, and it is good to get some feedback on it

AUSTIN OUT WITH A THIGH INJURY.

2 March 2013.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Central-midfielder out for three weeks.



We can confirm that Rodolph Austin will be out injured for three weeks, after picking up an injury in the win against Wolves last night.

Austin, 27, picked up a thigh strain in the win against Wolves at Elland Road last night, and has been ruled out for three weeks, due to the injury.

The Jamaican midfielder will miss the games against Derby County, Manchester City and Middlesbrough, but could miss more games than that, if he struggles to return from the injury.

5 March 2013
Last updated at 22:55


Leeds United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season tonight at Pride Park, with Derby County beating them 4-0.

Last time out Derby County lost 2-1 at Birmingham City, so manager Gordon Strachan made three changes from that match, out went Mark O'Brien, David Meyler and Will Hughes, with John Flanagan, Theo Robinson and Michael Jacobs coming in.

Leeds United came into this match on the back of a 1-0 win at home to Wolves, but Phil Walker still made five changes from that match, out went Sam Byram, Jerome Thomas, Rodolph Austin, Michael Tonge and Aidan White, to be replaced by Tom Lees, Paul Green, Simon Lenighan, David Norris and Danny Pugh.

The first chance of the match came inside the opening minute, with Leeds United striker Ross McCormack hitting the post with a shot. The move for the visitors started when Simon Lenighan intercepted a John Brayford pass, he then played the ball into attacker Luke Varney, who ran at the Derby defence before playing a pass to McCormack, his first shot down low was blocked by Richard Keogh, but it came back to McCormack, and he hit his second shot on the half-volley, which rattled back off the post.

The home side scored their first goal of the night on six minutes, with striker Connor Sammon finding the net. The goal was created by striker Theo Robinson, he flicked the ball on from a Gareth Roberts clearance for Sammon, and The Rams striker got away from Jason Pearce, before smashing home the ball into the net, to give the home side the lead.

It only took The Rams eight minutes to find the net again, this time Craig Bryson scored with a wonderful curling shot. The move for the goal started from a corner which was taken by Paul Coutts, the midfielder played the ball out to Bryson, who was 25 yards from goal, and he took a touch to control the ball, before curling a shot into the top right hand corner of Paddy Kenny's goal.

The visitors could have pulled a goal back on 25 minutes, but Frank Fielding was forced into saving a David Norris shot acrobatically. The move for the chance started when Simon Lenighan intercepted a Richard Keogh clearance, he then knocked the ball into the feet of Paul Green, who laid a first time pass into the feet of Norris, and he then hit a crashing shot from distance, which was tipped over by Fielding.

Derby County wrapped the win up five minutes before the break, with Craig Bryson scoring his second goal of the night. The assist for the goal was from Leeds United left-back Adam Drury, he tried playing a terrible ball to Paul Green, which Bryson brought down on his chest, and then hit a shot on the half-volley, which went over the head of Paddy Kenny and into the net.

It was 4-0 to The Rams after just 43 minutes, with Theo Robinson hitting the winning goal. The goal for Robinson was created by Connor Sammon, midfielder Craig Bryson was yet again involved in a Derby goal, he received the ball from a John Flanagan pass, before slotting it into Sammon, he then played it through into the run of Robinson, who smashed home his shot past Paddy Kenny, and into the roof of the net.

Leeds United had two good chances to score a goal in the same move, but Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio were both denied. The first chance of the move fell to McCormack, he was found by a Jerome Thomas pass, before cutting inside and hitting a shot which came back off the post, the rebound then fell to Becchio, and his low shot was cleared off the line by John Brayford, to keep the score at 4-0 to the home side.

Full time here at Pride Park, and Derby County have inflicted a 4-0 defeat on Leeds United tonight, thanks to a brace from Craig Bryson, and one goal each from Connor Sammon and Theo Robinson. This win for The Rams lifts them into 19th, while The Whites remain in 2nd place in the table, although Hull City are now just a point behind them.

Derby County manager, Gordon Strachan, on the victory. "This was a great victory for us tonight, especially as we are struggling down at the wrong end of the table, and they (Leeds United) are doing so well in the top two.

"We now need to build on this win tonight, and try to avoid relegation from this division this season."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the heavy defeat tonight. "Well that is the heaviest defeat we have suffered this season, and has to be the worst we have played aswell, which is simply not good enough for this club, or our loyal fans.

"We now face a trip to Manchester City on Saturday in the FA Cup, and there could well be changes to be made, especially with us being involved in the greatest cup competition in the world, we cannot play like we have tonight."

Derby County starting line-up (4-4-2). Fielding, Flanagan (O'Brien 71), Keogh (c), Brayford, Roberts, Coutts, Hendrick (Meyler 70), Bryson, Jacobs (Hughes 61), Sammon, Robinson.
Subs not used. Morch (gk), O'Connor, Galinski, Davies.
Goals. Sammon 6, Bryson 14, 40, Robinson 43.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Lees, Kisnorbo (c), Pearce, Drury (Byram 55), Green, Lenighan, Norris (Thomas 45), Pugh, McCormack, Varney (Becchio 55).
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Thompson, Gimpel, Tonge.
Booked. Green, Norris, Pugh.

Attendance. 23,417.
Referee. Kevin Friend.
Man of the Match. Craig Bryson (Derby County), rated at 9.3 over 90 minutes. Leeds United could not stop this man tonight, he found the net twice, was involved in the winning goal, and gave the visitors problems all night.

6 March 2013
Last updated at 13:25


Leeds United manager Phil Walker has today signed a new deal with the West Yorkshire club.

Walker, 40, took over from Neil Warnock as manager at Elland Road last July, who had resigned as manager, after less than five months in charge of The Whites.

This is the first job as a manager in football for Walker, but despite his lack of experience in the managers hot seat, the ex-footballer and local lad has done brilliantly as a football manager in his first season in charge, despite the club going out of the Capital One Cup early on, the club are currently in the sixth round of the FA Cup, and second place in the table and looking like their going back into the Premier League.

In terms of the deal that Walker has signed at Elland Road, he has signed a new deal until June 2016, worth £12,500-per-week, and this has replaced his old contract, which had just four months left until it expired.

This news will delight the supporters of The Whites, who have seen their club fighting for promotion this season, on a good cup run in the FA Cup, and playing some good counter attacking football, which has been attractive to watch.

Leeds United chairman, Ken Bates, on Phil Walker signing a new deal. "It is great news that Phil (Walker) has signed a new deal with us today, he has shown what a great manager he is so far this season, especially with this being his first season of his first job in football management, and I believe he is a manager who will manage at the highest level, I just hope it is with us."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on signing his new deal. "I am absolutely delighted to sign a new deal here, I am really happy at this moment in time in my career, especially as I am a local lad at my local team, it is also the club who took a chance to appoint me as there manager, despite having no previous experience, so I feel everything is right at the moment."

McPhail back at Leeds United.

Last updated: March 8, 2013 3:30pm.





Stephen McPhail has this afternoon returned to Leeds United, re-joining the club on a trial for four weeks.

The 33-year-old Irish central-midfielder is available as a free agent, after he was released by npower Championship side Cardiff City, at the end of January.

McPhail began his career with the West Yorkshire club, where he went on to make a total of 78 league appearances, scoring a total of three league goals, including two in a win away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, after making his first-team debut in 1997.

It is expected that he will train with the reserve squad during his trial at Thorp Arch, and could also help out by working with the younger players, as he looks to earn a deal with the club.

9 March 2013
Last updated at 18:05


Manchester City cruised into the last four of the FA Cup this afternoon, thanks to a 6-0 victory over Leeds United.

Manchester City came into this game after beating Shakhtar Donetsk here in the week 2-0, and Roberto Mancini made seven changes from that win in total, with only Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez remaining from that victory.

Leeds United suffered their biggest defeat of the season away to Derby County in midweek, so manager Phil Walker made five changes from that defeat, out went Adam Drury, Patrick Kisnorbo, Danny Pugh, Simon Lenighan and Luke Varney, to be replaced by Aidan White, Sam Byram, Jerome Thomas, Michael Tonge and Luciano Becchio.

The first real chance of the match fell to the hosts and they had the ball in the back of the net, with striker Mario Balotelli scoring the opening goal. The goal was created by fellow striker Carlos Tevez, he was found by a chipped pass from Jack Rodwell, before flicking the ball into the run of Balotelli, and he met the ball with a volley on his left foot, which gave Paddy Kenny no chance in the Leeds United goal.

The home side doubled their lead just eight minutes later, with Mario Balotelli finding the net again. The assist for the goal this time went to Jack Rodwell, him and Sergio Aguero played a quick exchange of passes between themselves, before Balotelli was played in, and he slotted the ball home and into the net.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli found the net yet again just two minutes after his last goal, to complete a hat-trick in ten minutes. It was left-back Aleksandar Kolarov who created the goal, he was picked out on the left by a pass from Marouane Fellaini, before whipping a cross into the near post which found the head of Balotelli, and he headed home for 3-0.

The match was all over on the half-hour mark, with midfielder Jack Rodwell scoring number four for the hosts. The goal came after poor defending in the box by the visitors, they struggled to get clear a cross from old boy James Milner, who had started the game at right-back today, and the ball then somehow fell to Rodwell, who slotted home a shot from his left boot.

The game was a quiet affair until the 56th minute, when Mario Balotelli won and then scored a penalty for the hosts. The penalty was conceded by Leeds United left-back Aidan White, after he brought down Balotell in the penalty area, after he was found by a long ball by Brad Friedel, the City number 45 then picked himself up, before smashing home his penalty past Paddy Kenny.

Leeds United had the ball in the net on the hour, but striker Ross McCormack saw his 19th goal of the season ruled out. The chance for the Scottish international striker was created by Paul Green, he was found by a pass from Sam Byram, before slipping the ball into the penalty area, which McCormack ran onto and fired home into the net, but the flag was raised on the near side.

Manchester City got their sixth of the afternoon on 75 minutes, thanks to a Sergio Aguero goal. The goal for Aguero was created by James Milner, who had been pushed forward since the arrival of debutant Ashley Smith-Brown, and it was his low drive which took a deflection off Tom Lees which fell to Aguero, and he slotted the shot into the roof of the net.

The afternoon got much worse for Leeds United, as they saw Luke Varney stretchered off on the 88th minute. The injury for attacker Varney, came after a late tackle from Manchester City right-back Ashley Smith-Brown, he had been beaten by the run of Varney, and caught him with a late tackle, which left him injured.

At the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium, it has been a very easy day for the home side today, easily disposing of Leeds United 6-0, with four of those goals coming from Mario Balotelli. The away side have done better than expected in the FA Cup this season, and can now focus their minds on the game against Middlesbrough on Wednesday, but two heavy defeats will surely cause problems with their confidence.

Manchester City assistant manager, Brian Kidd, on the win today. "This was a good win for us this afternoon, we thought it was going to be much tougher than that, but we had an easy afternoon, in which we were very professional throughout the match.

"The young lad (Ashley) Smith-Brown came on for his debut today, and he did well out there, but whether he is a future defender for us, I am not sure about that."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on another heavy defeat. "Yet again we have had another poor day at the office, and the result today and the one in midweek are atrocious, ones that the fans do not deserve, so the players will have to sort themselves out.

"We are just hoping that the injury to Luke (Varney) is not serious, but it looked a bad one, especially with him being stretchered off like that."

Manchester City starting line-up (4-2-3-1). Friedel, Milner, Nastasic, Kompany (c), Kolarov (Smith-Brown 73), Benat (Clichy 68), Fellaini, Rodwell, Tevez, Aguero, Balotelli (Dzeko 68).
Subs not used. Hart (gk), Ntcham, Pozo, Sinclair.
Goals. Balotelli 11, 19, 21, pen 56, Rodwell 30, Aguero 75.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Byram, Lees, Pearce (c), White, Green (Nunez 72), Norris (Lenighan 60), Tonge, Thomas (Varney 60), McCormack, Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Thompson, Pugh, Kisnorbo.
Booked. Green.

Attendance. 47,405.
Referee. Howard Webb.
Man of the Match. Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), rated at 9.8 over 68 minutes. The Italian may not be having the best of seasons, but he fired home four goals this afternoon, to help dump the opposition out of the cup.

Varney out for the season.

Last updated: March 10, 2013 11:10am.





Leeds United attacker Luke Varney has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old attacker, was stretchered off during the defeat to Manchester City yesterday, and x-rays on his foot have shown it is broken, and will therefore miss the rest of the season, with him being ruled out for between four and five months.

Varney only arrived at Elland Road from Portsmouth during pre-season, for £200,000, having been signed by former boss Neil Warnock, but he has been a crucial part of the team under boss Phil Walker, having made 35 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring a total of seven goals.

Manager Phil Walker on the injury. "This is definitely a blow in terms of our race for promotion, as he (Luke Varney) has been a key part of our team so far this season, and now joins four other first-team regulars in the treatment room, so numbers here are thin on the ground right now."

13 March 2013
Last updated at 23:05


Leeds United got back to winning ways at home to Middlesbrough tonight, thanks to goals from Ross McCormack and Patrick Kisnorbo in a 2-0 win.

The home side came into this clash today on the back of two heavy defeats, and manager Phil Walker made four changes from the FA Cup defeat at Manchester City, out went Aidan White, Jason Pearce, Sam Byram and David Norris, with Danny Pugh, Monty Gimpel, Patrick Kisnorbo and Simon Lenighan coming in. There was also a place on the bench for 18-year-old Patrick Antelmi, the youngster was handed the number 40 shirt before the game.

Middlesbrough came to Elland Road on the back of a 4-3 defeat to Birmingham City, so Gary Megson made two changes from that defeat, out went Merouane Zemmama and Lukas Jutkiewicz, with Richard Smallwood and Marvin Emnes replacing them.

The first chance of the match fell to Leeds United on the 20th minute, with Luciano Becchio wasting a great opportunity. The build-up to the chance did infuriate the visitors, they felt that the home side should have put the ball out, after Emmanuel Ledesma was brought down and hurt by Paul Green, The Whites midfielder then slipped a pass into Simon Lenighan, he then hit a 40-yard pass into the run of Ross McCormack, who then gave Becchio a pass to run onto, and with just the goalkeeper to beat, Becchio hit a low shot which was well saved by Jason Steele.

Leeds United midfielder Paul Green decided to test the woodwork just two minutes before half-time, with him sending a shot which cannoned back off the near post. The chance for Green was created by Jerome Thomas, he had made a run from deep inside his own half, before playing the ball across field to Green, and he took a good touch before hitting a low shot, which had beaten Jason Steele but came back off the post.

The home side had the ball in the back of the net in first-half injury time, with Ross McCormack scoring his 19th goal of the season. The goal was scored from a McCormack free-kick, but it was Leeds United midfielder Michael Tonge who had won it, he was brought down by ex-Rangers man Kevin Thomson, and the Leeds United number 44 curled home a brilliant shot, to put his side 1-0 up.

The first chance after the break did fall to the away side, but George Friend fired his shot wide of the goal. The chance for Friend was created by Nicky Bailey, he had received the ball from a Matthew Briggs, before slotting the ball into Friend who was in the box, but he fired his shot across the face of goal and wide.

The lead for Leeds United was doubled on the 63rd minute, thanks to a header from centre-back Patrick Kisnorbo. It was another goal which involved a free-kick for The Whites, Paul Green was brought down out on the right, the free-kick was taken by scorer of the first goal Ross McCormack, and his ball into the box caused a mix-up between Jason Steele and Jonathan Woodgate, which allowed Kisnorbo a free header to make it 2-0.

With 18 minutes of the match remaining, Leeds United decided to hand a senior debut in football to Patrick Antelmi, who had joined in the summer on a one-year contract, he came on and replaced Tom Lees on the pitch, as manager Phil Walker shuffled his side around, to see out the remainder of the game.

The cheers went around Elland Road as the final whistle went, after conceding ten goals in the past two games, and suffering big defeats in both of those, the home supporters were delighted to get back to winning ways, and also keep a clean sheet. The visiting fans though will be disappointed at this result, as this will keep them in the battle to avoid relegation.

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the victory. "It is great to get back to winning ways, and I feel we definitely deserved this win tonight, as they (Middlesbrough) were lacklustre all game.

"The young lads who all featured out there tonight did well again, especially Monty (Gimpel) who made his full debut tonight, he looked like an experienced centre-back, not a 19-year-old lad who was making his full debut tonight."

Middlesbrough manager, Gary Megson, on the defeat. "Basically we need to start winning our games, not losing, we are only outside the relegation places due to goal difference, and all three clubs in there can overtake us, if they pick up all three points and we lose again."

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Lees (Antelmi 72), Kisnorbo (c), Gimpel, Pugh, Green, Lenighan, Tonge (Thompson 57), Thomas (White 45), McCormack, Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Pearce, Norris, Nunez.
Goals. McCormack 45+4, Kisnorbo 63.

Middlesbrough starting line-up (4-5-1). Steele, Hoyte, McManus, Woodgate (c), Briggs (Zemmama 69), Haroun, Smallwood, Thomson, Bailey, Ledesma (Friend 45), Emnes (Jutkiewicz 69).
Subs not used. Leutwiler (gk), Amougou, Hines, Reach.

Attendance. 21,191.
Referee. Jay Spong.
Man of the Match. Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United), rated at 8.2 over 90 minutes. The player captained his side to victory tonight, and just beat Ross McCormack to this award tonight, after putting in a number of great tackles, as he helped his side keep a clean sheet.

16 March 2013
Last updated at 18:20


Leeds United left it late to claim all three points this afternoon away to Watford, with David Norris scoring the winner on the 87th minute, in a 2-1 victory.

Watford came into the game desperate for all three points to pull further away from the drop zone, and manager Gianfranco Zola made two changes from the last match, out went Andrea Mazzarani and Ross Jenkins, with Jonathan Hogg and Sean Murray coming in.

Leeds United came into the game looking to increase their lead on Hull City, who are currently third in the table, and manager Phil Walker made four changes from the win against Middlesbrough, out went Tom Lees, Paul Green, Jerome Thomas and Simon Lenighan, with Sam Byram, David Norris, Aidan White and Ramon Nunez coming in.

The first chance of the match was created by the home side, with Czech Republic midfielder Daniel Pudil forcing a good save from Paddy Kenny. The chance for Pudil was created from a corner, left-back Nicky Shorey whipped a cross into the box, which was headed away by Aidan White, but the ball only went as far as Pudil, who brought it down and fired home a dipping shot, which Kenny had to push wide of the goal.

The visitors had the ball in the net on the 31st minute, with Luciano Becchio putting them into the lead. The move for the goal started right from the back, Patrick Kisnorbo won the ball from Almen Abdi before playing it into Ramon Nunez, the Honduran then knocked the ball into David Norris, who then played the ball into the overlapping run of Sam Byram on the right, he whipped a cross into the box which found Ross McCormack, who flicked the ball into the path of Becchio, and he slotted the ball home for 1-0.

The next chance came after the half-time break, with Michael Tonge rattling the Watford crossbar. The move like the goal for the visitors started from the back, Paddy Kenny hit his goal kick long and into the path of Luciano Becchio, he headed the ball back to Tonge, who let the ball drop before hitting it on the half volley, and that shot beat Manuel Almunia, but came back off the crossbar.

Watford equalised just four minutes after the away side had rattled the crossbar, with a brilliant free-kick by Almen Abdi. The free-kick for the hosts was won by striker Chris Martin, the ex-Norwich City striker was brought down by Sam Byram out on the left, and the ball was handed to attacking-midfielder Abdi, who curled home a shot which missed everybody, and went in via the far post.

The away side had a great chance to put themselves back into the lead on the 73rd minute, but Ross McCormack hit the post instead of the net. The Scottish international striker was presented the chance after a mistake from Watford defender Joel Ekstrand, he played a terrible pass back to Manuel Almunia, which McCormack latched onto, he then rounded the goalkeeper, but with the angle too tight he could only fire his shot against the post, and Almunia collected the loose ball.

Leeds United made sure all three points were going back up North with them on the 87th minute, thanks to a strike from David Norris. The assist for the goal went to Luciano Becchio, he received the ball from a Aidan White pass, before playing a great ball into Norris, who skipped past Nicky Shorey to get into the box, before slotting home between Manuel Almunia and the near post.

At the final whistle the Leeds United players and fans looked delighted, as it looked like until the 87th minute they were only going to get one point today, but midfielder David Norris secured all three for them. The fans of The Hornets will be hoping there side can avoid relegation this season, and will be disappointed they did not get at least a point here today.

Watford manager, Gianfranco Zola, on the defeat. "I am very disappointed to have lost this match today, I felt we was going to earn a point from this game, but then Leeds United go up the other end and win it.

"I believe we will avoid relegation this season, we have enough quality in this squad to do so, and maybe five wins from our last eight games will secure safety."

Leeds United manager, Phil Walker, on the late win. "A great win for us this afternoon here at Vicarage Road, our players showed they are determined to play until the death, and because of that we got all three points today.

"Wins like these can be crucial in a season, and if we do win promotion back to the Premier League this season, then people in football may see this win as the one that won promotion for us."

Watford starting line-up (4-4-2). Almunia (c), Cassetti (Hodson 56), Ekstrand, Neuton, Shorey, Murray, Abdi (Jenkins 79), Hogg, Pudil, Geijo, Martin (Asamoah 67).
Subs not used. Bond (gk), Vydra, Mazzarani, Forestieri.
Goal. Abdi 56.
Booked. Hogg.

Leeds United starting line-up (4-4-2). Kenny, Byram, Kisnorbo (c) (Pearce (c) 53), Gimpel, Pugh, Norris, Nunez (Green 82), Tonge (Thompson 69), White, McCormack, Becchio.
Subs not used. Ashdown (gk), Payne, Thomas, Antelmi.
Goals. Becchio 31, Norris 87.
Booked. Tonge.

Attendance. 10,451.
Referee. Richard Townsend.
Man of the Match. Luciano Becchio (Leeds United), rated at 8.5 over 90 minutes. The Argentinian striker not only scored and made a goal today, but he gave Watford problems all afternoon, and they could not cope with him.