West Brom 1 Leeds United 0

After the defeat to Preston on Boxing Day the last match of 2023 for Leeds United was a difficult looking away trip at WBA. Daniel Farke finally rang the changes to freshen things up for the third game of the week and as expected Spence moved over to his normal position of right back, allowing a fit again Sam Byram, to take up the problematic left back spot that he has made his own. Captain Struik was unable to play and was replaced by Captain Cooper and Gnonto was given a rare chance with Dan James rested and Kamara made way for the little seen Gruev.

Leeds started brightly enough, controlling the game and looking the far superior side as they pegged back the home side for twenty minutes, threatening with some good openings, the best one when Rutter ran on to a ball from over the top by Gruev, but he was well challenged baring down on the goalkeeper. VAR would have looked at it for 3 minutes to decide if it was a penalty with Rutter pleading in vain to the ref. I thought it was the right decision. There were more good moves as Leeds cut open WBA  before Byram finished off the best Leeds move so far in the 17th minute, but was clearly offside.

The home side were unlucky not to take the lead with their first foray into the Leeds half after being outplayed for 20 minutes, Spence clearing brilliantly off the line, the rebound was then knocked over the open goal from only 8 yards out. That was a big let off for Leeds and they responded with their best chance of the half, with Gnonto baring down on goal from another ‘over the top’ ball from midfield and he was clearly muscled off the ball and dragged down as he was about to shoot…VAR would have definitely given it. By now West Brown were growing in confidence and started to  control the game and only a brilliant block from Gruev denied them before they did finally take the lead. The goal was coming and was a repeat of the earlier close call, Rodon this time clearing off the line but with the rebound finding the net.

Though Leeds had the best of the play in the first half they failed to do enough to make their dominance count and I thought It was a deserved half time lead for the home side. Leeds always looked under pressure from the excellent deliveries that they produced and I was expecting the break through. West Brom started the second half strongly, imposing themselves on Leeds as they went for the second goal. Leeds were unable to create any clear cut chances and it was a bitterly disappointing second half showing from Leeds. Apart from Rodon getting too much onto a header from a free kick and sending the ball high over the bar, Leeds created nothing. 

This match was a case of deja vu. Leeds huffed and puffed in the second half, brought the ineffective cavalry on and succumbed to another miserable defeat on the road…their third in a row. Leeds have now lost 6 times on their travels and tonight WBA copied Sunderland, parked the bus, and Leeds were totally frustrated. It was an excellent defensive display to keep Leeds out for half an hour and  again we were 2nd best. West Brom have now kept 12 clean sheets this season, the most of any team in the four divisions and Leeds could not break them down.

It was back-to-back defeats for Leeds for the first time this season and Birmingham will come to Elland Road on New Years Day following the blueprint…park two buses and Leeds can’t create. Only magic can turn a game like last night and Rutter and Summerville could not produce any, the brick wall kept them out. Leeds have deserved to lose these last three away games. They haven’t played badly but have not had the rub of the green and just cannot find a way through against a 10 man defense. 9 points off 2nd place is not insurmountable but with Southampton ahead of us as well I think we now have to realistically concentrate on staying in a play off place. It has been a very unhappy Christmas but maybe it will be a happy new year.