Peterborough 0 Leeds 3 | Leeds...Leeds...Leeds!!!
Peterborough United 0 Leeds United 3
Leeds United being drawn away for the 13th time in succession is a record for the world’s oldest football competition and this time we were at Peterborough United, playing on what was described by Jon Newsome on Radio Leeds as “a pitch that would be good for growing potatoes”. Leeds have slipped up on so many banana skins in these 13 away games that another defeat would not have been a surprise. Posh are third in League One, high scoring and with the youngest team in the Football League, and as Daniel Farke said, as good as any team in the lower reaches of the Championship…similar to teams Leeds have struggled against this season.
Even though he was giving great respect to the home side he still made 6 changes to the team, the biggest surprise was resting our two best players…Jimmy and Rutter. He believes in his squad and put his money where his mouth is. Archie Gray had his chance to move from full back to midfield to play alongside Gruev with Shack coming back in for his first game since October. Gnonto and Anthony both played as expected with Bamford having another chance to stake his claim and Amp slotting into the centre of defence with Cresswell not even in the squad.
Leeds started really well and had three chances in the first three minutes. Archie was onto a mistake from the goalkeeper but did not accept the gift and sent his effort straight back at him and then Bamford had a good header saved from close in. After 15 minutes the hosts had weathered the storm and were now in the game causing problems for Leeds and almost scoring on a couple of occasions. This was not looking easy after a good opening and Leeds were forced onto the back foot. Archie Gray had another opportunity when in on goal but once more his shot was straight at the ‘keeper and then in the 35th minute it was a relief to see Leeds open the scoring with Ampadu’s first goal in a Leeds shirt. It was controversial, Leeds apparently taking a freekick before the whistle was blown and with the Posh players still waiting for the whistle.
“It was Roy of the Rovers stuff…Zlatan Ibrahimović or Gareth Bale at the peak of their ability.”
The home side came straight back at Leeds and a couple of very close calls almost brought them level before half-time, one chance was a glaring miss but then Leeds should have had a penalty when Gnonto was clearly brought down. Leeds were the better team in the first half and deserved to be in front and then only 3 minutes after the restart Bamford scored the best goal he will ever score in his life. It was Roy of the Rovers stuff…Zlatan Ibrahimović or Gareth Bale at the peak of their ability. Bamford took a long ball on his chest with his back to goal and 25 yards or more out. In one movement as the ball dropped from his chest, he swivelled round and hit the ball as it dropped to his left foot and on the volley it flew into the top right hand corner of the net. It was amongst the best individual goals I have ever seen. I can’t wait to hear it discussed on his podcast. He must have been so shocked all he could do was modestly waggle a finger in celebration.
Peterborough did respond and try to make things difficult for Leeds and threatened to pull a goal back but Leeds were close to putting the game to bed with a couple of good efforts from Jadon Anthony before Amp scored his second and made it 3-0 in the 90th minute. This had been a professional performance from Leeds, they did what they had to do and what I expected but that goal by Bamford will forever live in the memory. It was a moment to cherish for one of the most maligned players to ever play for Leeds United.
By David Dean