Middlesbro 1 Leeds 2 - report

Leeds bounced back from 2 succesive defeats with a hard earnt, but deserved victory at Gordon Strachans Middlesbro..

Losses against Preston and Ipswich had set Leeds back a bit, so a good start was imperative - and Simon Grayson's men got off to a flyer.  12 minutes in and Davide Somma volleyed in at the far post after good work from Sanchez Watt down the left.  It was no more than the visitors deserved afer a fast paced start.  Wingers Watt and Robert Snodgrass were causing trouble down the flanks, and the home side, already under pressure after a poor start to the season looked lethargic.

Leeds continued to press in the first half, but created few chances - the best of which fell to Somma just before the break - his shot comfortably saved, when perhaps a ball to Becchio was the better option.  No one could blame the inform Sonmma though who is in a rich vein of goalscoring form - his early strike his 7th of the season.

The second half was a different story - Boro came out with renewed vigour, and pushed Leeds back.  Like Leeds in the first half though, they didn't test Brown in the Leeds goal enough.  A goal did come though, and Bates' good cross from the right was welll finished by Boyd.  This should have kicked Strachans men on, but although an improvement on the first half, they lacked the belief that they could go on and win the game.  Leeds came back into it, and the impressive Becchio scored a superb volley after Bradley Johnsons cross.  Becchio nearly grabbed his second not long after, a brilliant effort from the corner of the 18 yard box striking the post. 

The last 10 was eventless - which was in a large part down to some clever play from Leeds.  Whereas they have struggled to see games out recently, they played with their heads and killed the game off.  Instead of sitting deeper and deeper, they kept possesion and took all the pace out of the game - something that will have delighted boss Grayson.

The game finished with Strachan, a Leeds hero, met with a chorus of boos from the unhappy home fans who are looking for a change.  Big things were expected of them at the start of the season, and they're struggling.  The ability is there, but confidence is clearly lacking.  There is no doubt they will work their way up the taqble, but they need a run sooner rather than later before the gap between the top 6 or so gets too great.  For Leeds, steady progress after promotion, and the signs are that, with a bit of tweaking, they wont be too far away from the play offs come the end of the season...