BURTON ALBION: TWO LATE GOALS SECURE UNITED VICTORY

Leeds extend unbeaten run at Elland Road.

EFL Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 2 (Wood 83 pen, Doukara 90+6) Burton Albion 0

Two goals in the final ten minutes from Chris Wood and Souleymane Doukara secured Leeds United victory over Burton Albion, moving Garry Monk’s side just one point from the play-off places.

Pablo Hernandez made a welcomed returned to the United starting line-up following a lay-off with injury.

It was Burton who almost made a dream start at Elland Road, Ben Turner’s header at a corner was destined to go in, but for Eunan O’Kane’s block on the line.

Leeds then had a chance of their own from a set piece, Hernandez whipped in a corner and the ball pinged around the area between Kyle Bartley and Chris Wood, before Burton scrambled the ball to safety.

Kemar Roofe almost netted his first Leeds goal in the 24th minute.  Wood fed Hadi Sacko, who crossed low for Roofe, but he couldn’t get the desired contact and Jon McLaughlin in the Albion goal made the save.

Sacko was next to go close for United, Charlie Taylor put in a great cross from the left wing and the Frenchman headed just inches over.

Ten minutes before the break the Brewers were again nearly in front.  Matt Palmer whipped in a free-kick from the left flank and Matt Turner saw his looping header hit the crossbar.

Half Time: Leeds United 0-0 Burton Albion

Burton, like in the first half made a strong start out of the blocks in the second period, Chris O’Grady and half-time substitute Stuart Beavon combined with the latter firing over the crossbar.

The visitors then caught out Leeds at a free-kick, Beavon going short crossed in, he found O’Grady who headed back across goal, but Turner could only head over.

On the hour mark Roofe had United’s best chance of the game, he was played through on goal by Luke Ayling, but he couldn’t find the target firing just centimeters wide.

A minute later Burton went close once again, Palmer at a free kick once more found Turner, but the result was the same as the defender couldn’t find the target.

Wood then did really well to hold the ball up in the Burton penalty area, he teed up the returning Hernandez but he could only fire his effort over.

O’Grady had a good chance from another Albion set piece, Palmer delivered but the forward couldn’t find the target.

Leeds were awarded a penalty eight minutes from time, Wood sent the ball out to Hernandez and he played a fine pass to send substitute Doukara through on goal.  He cut inside, in the box and just as he was about to fire at goal, was felled.  Chris Wood stepped up to take the spot kick and smashed it straight down the middle, to give United the advantage.

The Whites sealed the win in the sixth minute of added time.  Burton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds box, the ball pinged around the area before Wood broke.  He put Doukara through with a brilliant pass and despite being bundled over by John Brayford, the striker prodded the ball home to secure Leeds the three points.

Victory for Monk’s men lifts United to ninth in the table and extends their unbeaten run at Elland Road to seven games.

Full Time: Leeds United 2-0 Burton Albion

United: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Roofe (Doukara 73), Wood, O’Kane, Jansson, Hernandez (Vieira 89), Taylor, Phillips, Sacko (Mowatt 90+5).  Subs not used: Cooper, Antonsson, Silvestri, Berardi.

Burton: McLaughlin, Brayford, McFadzean, Turner, Williamson (Naylor 76), O’Grady, Akins, Dyer, Ward (Beavon 46), Palmer, Irvine.  Subs not used: Flanagan, Mousinho, Bywater, Naylor, Miller, Choudhury.

Booked: O’Kane, Jansson, Vieira, Doukara (Leeds).  Turner, Akins (Burton).

Referee: J. Simpson

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 24,220