Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 1 (Ayling 16)

Bristol City 0

Leeds: Casilla, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Hernandez (Shackleton 90), Harrison, Costa, Bamford (Augustin 75).  Subs not used: Meslier, Douglas, Alioski, Roberts, Berardi. 

Bristol: Bentley, Dasilva, Kalas, Williams, Baker, Eliasson (Palmer 74), Massengo, Henriksen,  Paterson (Diedhou 60), Weimann (O’Dowda 34), Wells.  Subs not used: Wollacott, Hunt,  Rowe, Benkovic.

Booked: Dallas, Klich (Leeds), O’Dowda, Kalas (Bristol)

Referee: T. Robinson

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,819 (1,203 Bristol)

Leeds United got back to winning ways at Elland Road with a dominant win against promotion rivals Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship, with Luke Ayling netting the winning goal against his former side.

The Whites made a bright start to the match, Helder Costa saw a strike at a corner deflect just off target, before Liam Cooper headed wide following the next set piece.

Costa broke down the right wing and into the Bristol area, but his low ball looking for Patrick Bamford was crucially saved by Daniel Bentley.

Kalvin Phillips then saw a shot blocked when a corner was played out to him on the edge of the box as Leeds continued to dominate the early proceedings.

The Whites took the lead in the 16^th minute.  The ball pinged around the Bristol box with deflected strikes by Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich, before the ball fell back into the path of Ayling who smashed home from close range.

Leeds came so close to doubling that advantage three minutes later.  Costa was denied by a brilliant save, before Dallas’ follow up hit the crossbar.  Bamford then converted from close range, but the flag was raised for offside.

Pablo Hernandez found Bamford 25 yards from goal with a good pass and he tried a shot on the turn which went just wide.

Bentley was then on hand to deny Costa once more, following a good advantage by the referee the winger struck from range, but couldn’t get the better of the Bristol stopper.

With four minutes of the half remaining, the Robins had their first chance when substitute Callum O’Dowda found Jamie Paterson with a cross, but he could only head straight at Kiko Casilla.

Half time: Leeds United 1-0 Bristol City

The visitors had the first opportunity of the second half, with Markus Henriksen striking over from a long way out.

Leeds continued to dominate territory, attacking the Bristol half, without really testing Daniel Bentley until the 68^th minute.  Costa broke down the right and teed up Bamford, but some magnificent goalkeeping prevented the Whites from going further ahead.

Costa then broke through on goal, he managed to round Bentley, but the goalkeeper again managed to make a miraculous stop to prevent Costa’s strike from going in.

Dallas tried his luck from 25 yards, seeing his effort not go far away from finding the top corner, before Nahki Wells broke through on goal for the visitors, but could only find the side netting.

Leeds almost sealed it in the 84^th minute, Dallas played Harrison in at goal, but he saw his strike cannon out off the crossbar.

The Whites again went close in stoppage time, with Phillips winning possession high up the pitch and teeing up substitute Jean-Kevin Augustin, who fired narrowly wide as Leeds had to settle for just the one goal win.

Full time: Leeds United 1-0 Bristol City