Report: Leeds United 3-0 Crewe Alexandra

Report: Leeds United 3-0 Crewe Alexandra

Whites safely in the draw for the next round.

Carabao Cup Round Two 

Leeds United 3 (Phillips 79’, Harrison 85’, 90’)

Crewe Alexandra 0


Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Forshaw (Klich 61’), Roberts, Llorente (Ayling 45’), Costa, Rodrigo (Bamford 69’), Struijk, Harrison, Phillips (C), Shackleton. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Dallas, Cresswell, Summerville.

Crewe: Jaaskelainen (GK), Ramsay, Adebisi, Thomas, Knight (Johnson 76’), Mandron, Finney (Ainley 69’), McFadzean, Murphy (C) (Griffiths 89’), Lundstram, Sass-Davies. Subs not used: Richards (GK), MacDonald, Porter, Daniels. 


Marcelo Bielsa named Adam Forshaw in his starting line-up to face Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup Round Two clash at Elland Road. The midfielder was making a return to first-team action, taking to the field for the first time since September 2019. 

Also coming back from time out with injury was Diego Llorente. The Spanish central defender partnered Pascal Struijk at the heart of the defence. Charlie Cresswell and Crysencio Summerville were named on the bench, stepping up from the Under-23s squad. 

The first chance of the match fell the way of Forshaw as he connected superbly with a cleanly struck volley on the edge of the box, only to be denied by Will Jaaskelainen between the posts for Crewe. 

Leeds had to wait another 20 minutes before their next chance, which was even closer. Kalvin Phillips crossed in a free-kick and it was met by Llorente who saw his header cleared off the line by Billy Sass-Davies, protecting the far post.

In the next attack, a rasping drive from Jack Harrison then stung the palms of Jaaskelainen, and from the resulting corner Harrison took himself, Phillips flicked a header narrowly wide of the post. 

The next to go close in the game - and for the Whites - was Spanish forward, Rodrigo. Tyler Roberts found space down the right and produced a pinpoint cross for the striker, who saw his shot blocked by the Crewe defence. 

As the interval was drawing closer, Junior Firpo was next to get forward and have a strike on goal. Hitting a first time shot from Harrison’s pull-back, the Spanish full-back struck the outside of the post. 

That was to be the last action of a half that Leeds had been on top for in most parts, but the score remained level.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Crewe Alexandra

Bielsa went to his bench at the break, bringing on Luke Ayling in place of the returning Llorente. The visitors kept the same side that had started for the first 45.  

An early chance in the second half for the Whites fell the way of Harrison who struck wide of the goal, before Saiss-Davies followed up his first half goal-line clearance by doing it again, this time denying Roberts’ effort from hitting the back of the net. 

On the hour mark, Elland Road all were on their feet to give a standing ovation for Forshaw, as he left the pitch to be replaced by Mateusz Klich. Crewe went to their bench shortly after, bring on Callum Ainley who had scored their winner in the previous round, replacing Oliver Finney. 

Surging forward from full-back with 15 minutes remaining, Callum McFadzean found space and struck a low drive. Illan Meslier was forced to dive to his right and produce a smart save to deny the visitors. 

In the 79th minute, Leeds finally broke the deadlock in front of the close to 35,000 fans inside the ground. Harrison’s in-swinging corner found Phillips at the front post, and he produced an excellent finish to put the Whites ahead.

Jon HoweWith crewe now coming forward in search of an equaliser, Leeds hit on the counter and got a second. 

Klich brought the ball forward and slotted in Bamford down the wing, who took his time before picking out Harrison. The winger then controlled, and dinked an effort over Jaaskelainen to make it two. 

Jon Howe

Two then became three, and the impact of Bamford coming off the bench had played a huge part in changing the game in favour of Leeds.

The Whites’ number nine created his own space down the wing with a superb touch and laid the ball back in the box for Roberts to strike at goal. His effort was well saved, but Harrison followed up and smashed home left-footed to get his second and United’s third of the game. 

Jon Howe

The full-time whistle was blown shortly after and that signalled progression into the next round for Leeds United, against a spirited Crewe Alexandra side. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Crewe Alexandra


Referee: Benjamin Speedie

Booked: Adebisi, Mandron, Murphy (Crewe)

Venue: Elland Road 

Attendance: 34,154 (1,494 away)

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