Report: Middlesbrough 0-1 Leeds United

Report: Middlesbrough 0-1 Leeds United

Klich strike gives Leeds victory.

Sky Bet Championship


Middlesbrough 0

Leeds United 1 (Klich 45+1)

 

Boro: Pears, Friend (Johnson 63), Shotton, Saville (Nmecha 67), Howson, Moukoudi, Coulson, Tavernier, Clayton, Wing, Fletcher (Assombalonga 72).  Subs not used: Mejias, Morrison, McNair, Spence.

Leeds: Casilla, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas, White, Klich, Hernandez (Shackleton 73), Harrison, Costa, Bamford.  Subs not used: Meslier, Douglas, Alioski, Roberts, Stevens, Casey. 

 

Booked: Saville, Moukoudi, Clayton (Boro)

Refere: G. Ward

 

Venue: Riverside Stadium

Attendance: 24,647

 

Leeds United recorded a third straight victory in the Sky Bet Championship courtesy of Mateusz Klich’s strike in first half stoppage time.

After an even opening, Leeds created a first opportunity on goal in the 14th minute.  Luke Ayling delivered a lovely cross finding Patrick Bamford in space, but he could only head straight at Aynsley Pears.

Former Leeds man Adam Clayton saw a strike go out for a Leeds throw, before Jack Harrison drove in a low ball which Bamford hit first time, with his attempt from a narrow angle going just inches wide.

Ashley Fletcher teed up Lewis Wing in the Leeds box but couldn’t find the target, whilst Marcus Tavernier also shot wide from distance.

Pablo Hernandez did really well down the left flank and found Stuart Dallas in the Leeds box, but he was denied by a superb Pears save.  Helder Costa struck the rebound over, but it wouldn’t have counted with the offside flag raised.

Costa then saw a penalty appeal controversially turned away, before Boro once again had Pears to thank, making another fine stop to deny Harrison’s half volley.

Hernandez teed up Bamford as the Whites continued to apply the pressure, but once more Pears was on hand to make a really smart stop.

On the stroke of half time Leeds got a deserved breakthrough.  Bamford went in on goal and teed up Hernandez who saw his strike hit the post.  The Spaniard then reclaimed the rebound, before teeing up Mateusz Klich who superbly found the bottom corner. 

Half time: Middlesbrough 0-1 Leeds United

Leeds started the second half brightly with Dallas playing a neat one-two with Klich, before striking at goal, but he was denied once more by Pears.

At the other end George Saville tried his luck from 30 yards and only the best of Kiko Casilla denied him.

Hernandez struck from the edge of the box after being found by Costa and with his shot heading for the top corner, once more Pears made another outstanding stop.

Harrison saw a penalty appeal turned down, before Middlesbrough hit the crossbar.  Hayden Coulson weaved his way forward and found Tavernier who saw his strike go over off the crossbar.

Leeds had a great chance to double the lead in the 66th minute when Costa sent Luke Ayling to the byline.  Ayling then cut the ball back to Bamford, but he couldn’t make the desired contact to slot home, enabling Pears to save. 

Harrison was next to go close for Leeds with 10 minutes remaining.  He drove up the pitch and into the Boro box, before striking inches wide.

Middlesbrough went close from a set piece when a free kick fell to Tavernier, but his deflected strike was well saved by Casilla.

The Whites then saw out five minutes of added time, to record another clean sheet and victory, maintaining the second automatic promotion spot in the division.

Full time: Middlesbrough 0-1 Leeds United

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