Carabao Cup 

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 (B. Traore 85’)

Leeds United 0

Wolves: Sarkic (GK), Jonny (Lembikisa 82’), Collins, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Neves (C) (Moutinho 72’), Ronan (Podence 65’), Hodge, A. Traore (B. Traore 72’), Hwang, Guedes (Campbell 66’). Subs not used: Sa (GK), Mosquera, Toti, Bueno.

Leeds: Robles (GK), Ayling (C), Llorente, Hjelde, Firpo, Gyabi, Klich, Gelhardt (Greenwood 54’), Perkins (Gnonto 70’), Harrison, Joseph. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Miller, McCalmont, Allen, Moore, Debayo, Snowdon. 

Venue: Molineux 

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Andre Marriner

A young Leeds United side lost by a single goal to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the Carabao Cup, after a late goal from Boubacar Traore sent the hosts through to round four. 

Jesse Marsch gave first team debuts in attack to Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins, with both players starting the clash. The duo have been in fine form for the Under-21s this season, scoring plenty for their side who sit firmly top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table. 

Another new name in the XI was Darko Gyabi, a midfield recruit from Manchester City, who has been equally as impressive in Michael Skubala’s Under-21s side. Experienced goalie Joel Robles was the final player to be given his first start for the club, between the posts.

A much-changed side began with confidence and were on the front foot straight from kick-off. Joe Gelhardt won a free-kick 25-yards or so from goal, which saw Jack Harrison force an excellent save from Matija Sarkic.

Alert early on, the Wolves keeper would be busy again moments later. After Diego Llorente saw a header deflected wide of the post, the following corner fell to Mateusz Klich on the edge of the box. From his strike, Sarkic tipped wide again.

The resulting corner saw a new player for the Whites battle with the home stopper, who would again come out on top. Leo Hjelde leapt highest from the set-piece and brought out a fine stop, tipping his header over the bar. 

Then the hosts had chances of their own. Ruben Neves struck a free-kick narrowly wide of the post, before moments later the ever-tricky Adam Traore shot just wide of the goal. 

Further efforts on goal came as debutant Joseph forced another save from Sarkic, whilst at the other end Nunes struck off target again before Hee Chan Hwang suffered the same outcome. 

In a half where Marsch’s young side had held their own throughout the 45 minutes at Molineux, we went into the break on level terms. 

HALF TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Leeds United 

No changes were made at the interval and both teams came out for the second half aiming to find a goal which would send them into round four of the Carabao Cup.

It was Joel Robles who was the first goalkeeper to be tested in this half. Wolves broke quickly and the ball was played to Max Kilman who had space and time to shoot, but he was denied well by Robles from the strike. 

Robles would produce an even better stop as the game approached the hour mark. This time it was from Connor Ronan, who saw his flicked effort on goal tipped magnificently away from goal. 

Marsch went to his bench, bringing on Sam Greenwood and Willy Gnonto, in place of Gelhardt and Perkins who had both put in a real shift in this cup clash. Both subs were instantly involved in a move, which saw Harrison curl just past the post with the ‘keeper beaten. 

Another player on from the bench, this time for the home side, was the one to break the deadlock. Nathan Collins won possession high up the pitch and the ball found its way to the recently introduced B. Traore on the edge of the box, who made no mistake firing home to give his side the lead. 

That was to be the last real chance of the match and the hosts held onto their lead in the closing stages, to overcome a youthful but hard-working Leeds United side. 

FULL TIME: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Leeds United