U23 Report: Leeds United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
![U23 Report: Leeds United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion](https://dc6vmiz8c91pk.cloudfront.net/media/131/85987681570276/u23_wba_web.jpg)
Late comeback sees Whites snatch three points.
Premier League 2
Leeds United 2 (Roberts 80, Costa 85)
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Diaby 10)
Leeds: Casilla, Huggins, Davis (Struijk 45), Casey, Cresswell, Drameh, Poveda (Costa 45), Greenwood, Kamwa, Rodrigo (Roberts 45), McCarron. Subs not used: Caprile.
Booked: McCarron, Casey (Leeds)
Venue: Thorp Arch
Two goals in the final 10 minutes gave Leeds United another three points in the Premier League 2 table, drawing the Whites level with leaders, Middlesbrough.
Tyler Roberts and Helder Costa both came off the bench to net the goals, in a 2-1 victory against a competitive West Bromwich Albion outfit.
Mark Jackson was able to give minutes Kiko Casilla, Leif Davis, Ian Poveda and Rodrigo in his starting XI for the PL2 clash.
Poveda and Rodrigo had featured for Marcelo Bielsa’s first team as substitutes against Arsenal 24 hours previously, with the Whites head coach spectating the match at Thorp Arch on Monday afternoon.
The first half was a relatively uneventful affair, but the hosts did take the lead after 10 minutes. A free-kick in an attacking position was deflected into the path of Cheikh Diaby, who made no mistake by firing low under the legs of Casilla.
Leeds looked to respond instantly with Bobby Kamwa and Liam McCarron both having a sight of goal, but neither player could test Sam French in the visiting net.
Davis and Rodrigo both had left-footed efforts later on in the half that forced French to be alert, making saves from both. The chance of the half fell to Niall Huggins just before the whistle, but the defender struck his shot wide meaning the visitors would take the lead into the break.
Half time: Leeds United 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
Three changes at the interval saw Pascal Struijk, Tyler Roberts and Helder Costa all introduced, replacing Rodrigo, Poveda and Davis. Those changes were to prove pivotal to the outcome of the match, with all making impacts.
It had taken just a few minutes for Roberts to have a sight of goal. He turned in the area but fired his effort over the bar. French was beginning to become busy in the Baggies net, making a good save from both Bobby Kamwa.
Roberts would have another sighter with 20 minutes or so remaining, seeing his goal bound effort tipped over the bar by visiting goalkeeper. Casilla would be called into action at the other end, showing similar reflexes to his opposite number by saving from the lively Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
With 10 minutes remaining, Leeds’ dominance finally brought an equaliser. Roberts controlled the ball inside the area after receiving a quick pass from fellow substitute Struijk, before cleverly toe-poking it into the bottom corner, making it 1-1.
It would take just another five minutes before the winner arrived, with a piece of individual brilliance. Costa picked the ball up outside the area and went on a silky run through the West Brom defence. The forward appeared to lose his footing but it didn’t hamper him, as he calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put his side ahead.
Jackson’s side saw out the remaining time in the game to ensure the three points, completing the turnaround and moving level on points with the league leaders.
Full time: Leeds United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion.