BOSS PAYS HIS TRIBUTES

BOSS PAYS HIS TRIBUTES

Brian McDermott gives his verdict on kicking off with a victory...

United manager Brian McDermott paid tribute to both his players and the fans after kicking off the new Championship campaign with a win at Elland Road.

Over 33,000 roared United to victory against Brighton on Saturday, Luke Murphy securing a 2-1 success with the last kick of the game.

It was the highest opening day crowd at Elland Road for a decade and, with a new buzz around the stadium, the fans were rewarded with a winning start.

“We’d worked hard in pre-season, but when the season starts and there’s 30,000 plus it’s a different kettle of fish,” said the boss.

“You have to use the crowd to your advantage and they dragged us over the line.

“I’ve been here before with away teams, but never seen it like that. It was a different level, right from the anthem before the game. It was different. When we went 1-0 down there were no rumblings, everyone kept together. I’d have loved to see the volume of noise after the goal.

“We deserved a break at the end and sometimes if you do the right things you get a break. I’m delighted we won the game.

“Paddy made a match-winning double save not long before the end, and you hope you get a break at the other end. Both sides could have won the game.

“There was a dispute over our winner, but we had one about their goal. It could have been 1-0 on that basis. It was a terrific finish. Matt Smith got a header down, but last kick of the game? We’ll take that in the first game of the season.”

While Murphy celebrated with a debut goal, it was fellow summer signing Smith who won the all-important header to create the opening after coming off the substitutes bench.

“Bringing Matt gave us another dimension,” said the boss. “Dominic Poleon did well when he came on, and so did Adam Drury. It’s about the group, though, not individuals, because we’re going to need everyone over the course of the season.

“Sometimes you have to dig deep and work hard in a group, and we did that. It was really encouraging, but we can’t get carried away.”

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