Sheffield Wednesday 0 Leeds United 2 – Captain Marvel. After a middling first half Leeds got their passing game working with a much improved second half. Goals from Bamford and Gnonto either side of half time with Captain Marvel, Ampadu, able to hold off a much improved Wednesday.
Farke, who tends to keep to same first eleven, rotated his squad for Sheffield Wednesday, with three games in nine days, he had the depth to do it. James replaced by Gnonto, Roberts replaced by Gray. Farke won the management of month, picking up 31 out of 33 possible points this year to date. Sheffield Wednesday, in the relegation zone but on a winning run, making this a high pressure fixture.
Sheffield Wednesday last played Leeds United at the beginning of the season, when Leeds United were still finding their feet; they parked the bus in front of their goal and managed to force a draw. After Rotherham and Huddersfield Town, it is another Yorkshire derby that Leeds will need to be more hungry and clinical to gain the win; a tough ask when the team is showing signs of tiredness.
It’s a physical game early on with Leeds players getting hauled down without free kicks – Summerville showing his distaste for his marker. Leeds played a patient game in front of a deep Wednesday five man defence probing for space. Leeds could not build up with their passing going astray – Bamford and Georginio don’t see enough of the ball.
Wednesday took opportunity with the loose balls to attack with pace and numbers leaving Leeds midfielders stranded through quick passing beating our defenders. Wednesday rarely actually threatened beyond winning corners and one point blank save that thankfully rolled past the goal.
It was a messy first half as both teams looked to create chances but neither capable of holding possession. Leeds may have had the possession but Wednesday had the only clear chance on goal for most of the first half. Georginio couldn’t get into the game until he moved up front and Amapadu sent him long balls. He had chances but was not clinical enough.
After the drudge of the first half Leeds conjured up a goal in the extra bit of extra time. Having another threatening build up around the Wednesday defence this time Firpo gets his cross pitch perfect into that corridor of uncertainty between the defence and keeper for Bamford to pounce and score his fourth goal in five matches.
Leeds started the second half positively with Georginio forcing a low save from keeper Beadle. Then, from a Meslier free kick deep in his own half he found Bamford who controlled it down to Georginio who squared to Gnonto who only had Beadle to beat. 2-0. Leeds didn’t give up and started to pass round the Wednesday defence with both Summerville and Bamford having chances.
Wednesday pushed up but Rodon, Gray and Ampadu confidently broke down their attacks. Wednesday fans were not happy chucking plastic bottles at Meslier. Wednesday had their chance whenMeslier, who was having a quiet second half, was caught out by a bouncing long shot that he mishandled twice and it needed Ampadu on the goal line to kick it away.
Man of the match: Captain Marvel, Ampadu, for his goal line clearance, stout defence and probing long crosses.
