Sky Bet Championship

Oxford United 0

Leeds United 1 (Solomon 32’)

Oxford: Cumming (GK), Long, Vaulks, Placheta (Mills 80’), Brannagan (C), Harris (Romeny 65’), Bennett (Leigh 65’), Nelson, Matos (Bradshaw 80’), Goodrham (El Mizouni 89’), Helik. Subs not used: Ingram (GK), Phillips, Rodrigues, Kioso.

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Bogle, Firpo, Ampadu (C), Rodon, Piroe (Bamford 75’), Aaronson (Guilavogui 90’), Solomon (Schmidt 87’), Tanaka, Gnonto (James 75’), Gruev. Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Ramazani, Joseph, Byram, Wober.

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Booked: Placheta, Vaulks, Helik, Mills (Oxford) Gruev, Bogle (Leeds)

Venue: Kassam Stadium

Attendance: 11,537

Leeds United travelled away from home on Good Friday to take on Oxford United in the Sky Bet Championship and left with all three points thanks to Manor Solomon’s first-half strike!

Despite the impressive final result, the first effort on goal came from the hosts. Having won possession high up the pitch, Cameron Brannagan found space outside the box and received the ball, before looking up and firing towards the bottom corner, only to see Karl Darlow dive to his left and palm it away.

The Whites had a big opportunity themselves inside the opening 20 minutes. Creating room and finding Brenden Aaronson inside the box, the midfielder struck low towards the far corner, but Jamie Cumming made an equally impressive save like his opposite number.

In a half that had lacked clear cut chances, Leeds did come close again but a last-ditch clearance from Ben Nelson stopped Solomon’s low ball across the middle before it could be tapped home.

However, the next attack did bring about the opener! Joe Rodon found the run of Jayden Bogle with an incisive pass, allowing the full-back to burst into the box where he played a pinpoint low cross to the back post for Solomon, who was positioned perfectly to fire home and put his side ahead!

After scoring the opening goal of the game, Daniel Farke’s side controlled it for the rest of the half and when the whistle sounded, they would take a one-goal advantage back to the dressing room.

HALF TIME: Oxford United 0-1 Leeds United

Back out for the second 45 minutes in Oxfordshire, neither side had made a change. The first good opening came for the visitors, with Bogle again looking lively before shooting just wide of the post.

Pushing forward in search of a second, on more than one occasion Leeds were stopped with late fouls. The hosts had picked up three yellow cards by the hour-mark from doing so.

From one free-kick, Ilia Gruev tested Cumming but the ‘keeper was equal to it. Shortly after and up from the back, Junior Firpo struck from 25-yards, drilling a fierce effort narrowly over the bar.

With 15 minutes to play at the Kassam Stadium, Farke went to the bench. He made a double switch, bringing on Patrick Bamford and Dan James in place of Willy Gnonto and Joël Piroe.

Despite the hosts searching for a leveller, the Whites controlled proceedings professionally and almost extended their advantage through Ao Tanaka, who saw a speculative strike from distance cannon off the inside of the post and somehow away from danger.

Further reinforcements came in the form of Isaac Schmidt and Josuha Guilavogui, before referee Dean Whitestone’s full-time whistle sounded, signalling another important victory for Leeds United!

FULL TIME: Oxford United 0-1 Leeds United