Carabao Cup

Leeds United 2 (Gelhardt 52’, Struijk 58’)

Shrewsbury Town 1 (Perry 28')

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ayling (C), Ampadu, Cresswell, Shackleton, Gyabi (Byram 45’), James (Drameh 92’), Gray, Poveda (Sinisterra 83’), Gelhardt (Bate 95’), Hjelde (Struijk 45’). Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Klaesson (GK), Perkins, Moore.

Shrewsbury: Marosi (GK), Benning, Anderson, Feeney (Sobowale 72’), Winchester (Watts 72’), Bowman (C) (Udoh 60’), Perry, Hernes (Shipley 55’), Bayliss (Sraha 72’), Flanagan, Kenneh. Subs not used: Burgoyne (GK), Dunkley.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,129 (1,225 away)

Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Booked: Benning, Winchester (Shrewsbury)

Leeds United faced Shrewsbury Town in their second match of the 2023/24 campaign, in a straight knock-out Carabao Cup first round clash.

Goals from Joe Gelhardt and Pascal Struijk were enough to send Daniel Farke’s side through to the second round, fighting back from behind after Taylor Perry’s opener.

The cup journey began for the Whites on Wednesday night, in front of 35,129 supporters at Elland Road and it was a tough encounter from the first minute against their Sky Bet League One opponents.

Farke’s side started on the front foot and had the majority of possession, looking to create chances with their time on the ball.

There were a number of efforts early in the half from the hosts, as Dan James, Leo Hjelde and Archie Gray all struck at goal, but none of which troubled Marko Marosi in the visiting net.

It was the 1,225 visitors who were able to celebrate first, seeing their side go ahead. Taylor Perry was the player to score after he got into space on the right side of the box and struck low, his effort was then heavily deflected beyond Karl Darlow into the far corner.

Following the goal, Leeds continued to push but found a compact visiting defence in front of them who were well organised and denying chances. That meant that no further goals came before the break, with the Shrews a goal up going into the dressing rooms.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Shrewsbury Town

Farke made a double change at the interval with his team a goal behind. Struijk and Sam Byram would enter the match, and the substitutions would make an immediate impact.

The Whites were instantly on the front foot and pushing forward looking for an equaliser and it came just seven minutes after the restart. Ian Poveda’s powerful strike was palmed by Marko Marosi into the path of Gelhardt, who was well-positioned to guide the rebound home.

Just six minutes later, on from the bench, Struijk would be the player to put Leeds ahead. A corner was floated in towards the back-post where again positioning was key, allowing the defender to be in the perfect spot to volley into the back of the net.

The Whites were now in full flow and seeing some really good football. Pushing forward from midfield, Gray played the ball into Gelhardt’s feet, who flicked it to Poveda, allowing him to take a touch onto his left-foot and fire inches past the post.

After taking the lead, Farke’s side then controlled the majority of the game and were able to continue playing some neat one-two football and creating chances. Shortly after entering the game, Luis Sinisterra was on the end of one such move, but his strike was deflected wide.

The Colombian winger had one further chance before the whistle, bursting into the box and edging towards the goal, but his strike was too powerful and curled over the bar for a goal-kick.

That was to be that under the lights of Elland Road and the full-time whistle was blown shortly after, sending Leeds into the second round of the Carabao Cup.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Shrewsbury Town