Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 1 (Alioski 38)

West Bromwich Albion 0

Leeds: Casilla, Dallas, White, Cooper (Berardi 34), Alioski, Phillips, Shackleton (Roberts 45) (, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Bamford.  Subs not used: Miazek, Ayling, Douglas, Roberts, Nketiah, Clarke.

West Brom: Johnstone, Ferguson, Bartley, Ajayi, Furlong, Livermore, Sawyers, Diangana, Pereira, Phillips, Robson-Kanu.  Subs: Bond, Krovinovic, Zohore, Townsend, Austin, Edwards, O’Shea.

Booked: Alioski (Leeds), Robson-Kanu, Bartley, Sawyers (West Brom)

Referee: D. Coote

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 34,648 (981 West Brom)

Leeds United ended a two game winless run, to inflict a first defeat of the season on West Bromwich Albion and move back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship thanks to Ezgjan Alioski’s strike at Elland Road.

Leeds almost broke the deadlock inside three minutes, Jack Harrison’s low cross was met by Mateusz Klich who produced a fine stop, tipping the strike around the post.

Leeds counter attacked following a West Brom corner and Stuart Dallas appeared to have a strike blocked by a Baggies arm.  The referee however waved away the penalty protests and the visitors broke forward with Hal Robson-Kanu forcing Kiko Casilla into a decent stop.

The Whites then went close from a Kalvin Phillips free-kick on the right flank, he delivered a wonderful ball and Patrick Bamford saw an attempt deflect wide.

Leeds were dealt a blow in the 32^nd minute when captain Liam Cooper was forced off with an injury, with Gaetano Berardi on to replace him and Dallas handed the armband.

The Whites took the lead six minutes later.  Jack Harrison broke into the box and held the ball up well before laying the ball off to Alioski who fired a thunderous drive into the bottom corner, to erupt Elland Road.

The visitors almost hit straight back, though, when Matheus Pereira weaved his way into the Leeds United box, with Casilla making a good save to deny him.

Leeds had a great chance to double the lead on the stroke of half time, but the Baggies had Johnstone to thank, who made a fantastic double save to deny Bamford and Helder Costa from close range.

Half time: Leeds United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Leeds nearly added a second eight minutes into the second half, Costa broke down the left and tried to weaved his way past Semi Ajayi and into the penalty area, but the defender recovered well to block his shot.

Three minutes later the dangerous Pereira shot after he was played into the Leeds box, with his effort going just wide.

Pereira fired a 20 yard free-kick just wide as the Baggies looked to get level, before half time Leeds substitute Tyler Roberts struck wide from range.

Leeds went close from a quick free-kick, Costa brought down a cross-field pass superbly before firing on goal, forcing Johnstone into a fine save, before Klich saw his rebounded attempt blocked.

At the other end, Pereira again threatened following some good build up play, with his half volley well stopped by Casilla.

Alioski then teed up Harrison to hit a curling strike from the edge of the box, which again brought out the best of the impressive Johnstone.

The visitors then threw the kitchen sink at Leeds, with substitute Kenneth Zohore going closest when he blazed over following a long ball forward, as Leeds held on for a big three points.

Full time: Leeds United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion