Sky Bet Championship

West Bromwich Albion 1 (Ajayi 2)

Leeds United 1 (Bamford 52)

WBA: Johnstone, Furlong, Gibbs (Townsend 17), Bartley, Ajayi, Krovinovic (Edwards 62), Livermore, Sawyers, Phillips (Zohore 84), Pereira, Robson-Kanu.  Subs not used: Bond, Austin, Barry, Hegazi.

Leeds: Casilla, Ayling, Cooper, White, Alioski (Douglas 45), Phillips, Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Nketiah (Bamford 45).  Subs not used: Meslier, Berardi, Gotts, Stevens, Casey.

Booked: Krovinovic, Bartley (West Brom), Cooper, Ayling, Costa (Leeds)

Referee: R. Jones

Venue: The Hawthorns

Attendance: 25,618 (1,989 Leeds)

Leeds United picked up an important point to remain at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-1 draw against second placed West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

The Whites made the worst possible start to the match, with it taking less than two minutes for West Brom to open the scoring.  After winning an early corner, Kyle Bartley’s header across goal was flicked towards goal by Semi Ajayi and his effort just crossed the line, despite the best attempt of Jack Harrison.

The hosts again went close soon after at a free kick, which Matt Phillips fired just wide, into the side netting.

Leeds created a good opportunity in the 17^th minute, Helder Costa got to the byline and found Mateusz Klich in the Baggies box.  Klich then laid the ball off for Stuart Dallas to strike, with his effort going just over.

The Baggies threatened again when Filip Krovinovic teed up Matheus Pereira to strike and he forced Kiko Casilla into a good stop.

At the other end, Costa fired a snap shot on the half volley from 25 yards, forcing Sam Johnstone into action.

Casilla was forced into action in the 37^th minute to prevent West Brom from going further ahead, tipping a fine effort from Pereira at a free kick around the post.

The Whites stopper then made another fantastic save, this time denying Matt Phillips after the Baggies forward was played through on goal, as Leeds went in trailing at the break.

Half time: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Leeds United

Marcelo Bielsa introduced Barry Douglas and Patrick Bamford at the break and it took the latter just seven minutes to level the scores.  Jack Harrison whipped in a lovely ball from the right and Bamford’s deflected header found the back of the net.

West Brom went close in the 62^nd minute when Krovinovic was played in by Hal Robson-Kanu, but he was denied by Casilla from a narrow angle.

Following the save, Leeds countered up the field and Bamford was really unlucky with a volley, firing just inches wide following another Harrison cross.

Pereira tried his luck from a set piece on the right flank, but he couldn’t beat Casilla, before a Matt Phillips free kick went right through the Leeds box, bouncing just wide.

Matt Phillips then cut inside well from the right flank, before firing over from 25 yards, whilst Darnell Furlong was denied with a strike at the near post following a Baggies corner.

In the closing stages, Bamford was played in on goal by Klich and there was an option for a return pass, but the striker opted to strike from a narrow angle, but couldn’t beat Johnstone at his near post.

At the death Casilla made another fine stop to earn Leeds a point, denying substitute Kyle Edwards after he made room for a shot in the Whites box.

Full time: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Leeds United