Sky Bet Championship
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Diangana 37’)
Leeds United 0
WBA: Palmer (GK), Furlong, Townsend, Kipre, Ajayi, Wallace (C) (Reach 70’), Molumby (Bartley 69’), Diangana (Swift 69’), Thomas-Asante (Sarmiento 86’), Mowatt (Chalobah 76’), Yokuslu. Subs not used: Griffiths (GK), Pieters, Pipa, Fellows.
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ampadu (Firpo 90’), Cooper (C), Piroe, Summerville (Joseph 90’), Rodon, Georginio, Byram (James 60’), Gnonto (Bamford 60’), Spence (Anthony 60’), Gruev. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Cresswell, Kamara, Gray.
Referee: Graham Scott
Booked: Kipre (WBA) Gruev (Leeds)
Venue: The Hawthorns
Attendance: TBC
In a final match of 2023 for each side, Leeds United travelled away from home to face West Bromwich Albion, who sat just the one place below in the Sky Bet Championship table. A first half goal from Grady Diangana was the difference, as the Baggies ran out winners.
The first two efforts on goal came from Daniel Farke’s side. Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville had the shots, both of which were blocked and cleared at the last moments by stretched out West Brom legs.
Leeds did find the back of the net after sustained pressure, but the offside flag went up to deny the returning Sam Byram, who had finished well at close range.
Also returning to the side, captain Liam Cooper made a fantastic goal-saving block to deny the Baggies from their first real chance in the match. A low ball came into the box for Jed Wallace to strike, but the skipper was well placed to block the shot.
An even better block came a few minutes later from the Whites. This time it was Djed Spence perfectly positioned on the line, turning the ball away and denying Cedric Kipre’s effort from a corner.
Between the posts for WBA, Alex Palmer was tested for the first time with 10 minutes to go until the break. The strike came from Summerville who cut in from the left and curled at goal, only to see the ‘keeper tip it over the bar.
The opening goal arrived in the 37th minute, going the way of Albion. Diangana saw his first effort blocked by Joe Rodon, but fortuitously the ball cannoned back off the forward, and into the bottom corner.
Despite having chances, Leeds went in a goal down at the interval and would have work to do in the second half in the West Midlands.
HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Leeds United
No changes were made on either side at the break as the teams came back out onto the pitch, looking to battle one another again in the second 45 minutes.
The home side were on top in the opening stages after the restart and the Whites had to defend well, but did so.
Leeds then had a good chance of their own. Summerville whipped in a deep free-kick and rising tall at the back of the box, Joe Rodon leapt highest and connected well, but placed his header over the bar.
On the hour mark, Farke made a triple change with his team still searching for a goal. Dan James, Patrick Bamford and Jaidon Anthony entered the game in a newly formed attacking line up.
West Brom reverted into a strong defensive unit after the Whites had sent bodies forward. That was frustrating for Leeds, who controlled the large majority of the play, but struggled to create clear openings.
On from the bench, Anthony and James both had shots on goal, as did Bamford late on. However, despite their best efforts, nothing was forthcoming and the year ended in defeat.
Next up, Farke’s side return to action on New Year’s Day at home to Birmingham City.
FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Leeds United
