Leeds 1 Coventry 1 | Leeds...Leeds...Leeds!!!
Leeds United 1 Coventry City 1
As expected Leeds were unchanged again on a mild and sunny winter’s afternoon with conditions perfect and another capacity crowd of 36,700. The Coventry allocation of 3,000 was sold out with the away fans in good voice, supporting their team throughout an entertaining first half. It was all Leeds in the opening 10 mins with good openings coming to nothing, the final killer pass always being snuffed out by a well marshaled Coventry defence and with plenty of players back they had a ‘very low block parking the bus’, frustrating everything Leeds could throw at them and there were not many clear cut opportunities in the first half.
Piroe had the first of the day on 8 minutes but his tame shot was easily saved. The best chance of the half fell to James when he used his electrifying pace, bursting through into the box but with just the goalie to beat he delayed getting a shot in and fell to the floor from 12 yards out after a last ditch tackle. “Penalty” screamed the South Stand but I doubt it, the referee had a clear view and James seemed to go down too easily to the challenge. Another penalty shout was turned down when Summerville might have been unfairly tackled but the ref gave the free kick to the away side, Jimmy seemed as if he was leaning heavily on his man as he went to ground.
Leeds were in control and dominating the game but it was Coventry who had the first decent effort on goal with Mes saving comfortably but shortly after it looked as though he had been beaten and there was a sigh of relief as another effort from a good position this time rolled past the post. Leeds continued probing but with Coventry well and truly in this game, there were times when they stretched the Leeds defence enjoying plenty of space in possession, something they denied the Leeds attack; they were constantly closing them down, not giving them an inch. Towards the end of the first half a brilliant run by Rutter beating two men in the box only brought a corner. That was the best from Rutter in the first 45 minutes… he was frustrated every time he attempted his trade mark turns.
“That was the best from Rutter in the first 45 minutes… he was frustrated every time he attempted his trade mark turns. ”
It was a disappointing first half from Leeds after enjoying most of the possession but promising play failed to create a clear cut chance. Kamara and Amp worked hard in midfield and the defence coped reasonably well but Coventry looked more dangerous than Leeds coming forward. They had plenty of open spaces when on the ball and Leeds didn’t have any space at all when attacking. If this was to continue in the second half with Leeds unable to open them up I feared a breakaway goal would be on the cards for Coventry.
Leeds started the second half seemingly with a bit more impetus. It was difficult to see what had changed but I thought they were doing better and Summerville was getting more on the ball and causing a lot of problems with his brilliant dribbling. He cut through Coventry like a knife through butter at times but with so many bodies back it was so hard to create real chances. In the 58th minute Leeds finally made the breakthrough they deserved when Rutter passed beautifully to Jimmy bursting towards the six yard box and once again the little genius deftly finished wonderfully into the inside of the side netting and Elland Road erupted with joy and relief. Leeds were surely going to win this now and a second goal was expected with Coventry having to break out of their defensive shell.
“Elland Road erupted with joy and relief. Leeds were surely going to win this now. ”
Shock and horror, the lead only lasted 8 minutes when a long cross from the right was headed perfectly into the net past a helpless Mes. This was a bitter blow to Leeds’s hopes of winning the game and after taking Spence off and switching to 3 at the back they were open and vulnerable to conceding the winner. Coventry should have done just that, missing what looked like an open goal, the best chance of the game. Leeds had plenty of chances to score the 2nd goal, particularly Rodon heading over from a good position and Dan James with a glorious chance from 4 yards out in the 5th minute of added time. A brilliant last ditch effort from a Coventry defender forced the ball wide and I don’t blame James for that miss. This was another two points that have slipped through our grasp. Hopefully next week against Ipswich we will make up for our disappointment…. we cannot afford to slip up again.
It might be time for some changes though Farke said Leeds had enough chances to win the game. Spence had a few good moments but doesn’t look at ease at left back…another square peg in a round hole and maybe switching him to the right and freeing up Archie to play in midfield again might be a good idea. I would like to see three in midfield and maybe it is time for Piroe to have a rest, he did nothing today. We might have to suffer Firpo returning to left back with Sam Byram and Shack injured with Farke seemingly happy to have him back in the team! Leeds were not good enough again today but I don’t think they played badly, Coventry were stubborn and did well to earn a point. We have to be better next week.