BRENTFORD: BARTLEY BRINGS THE BEES TO THEIR KNEES

Defender strikes late to secure Leeds win.

EFL Championship

Leeds United 1 (Bartley 89) Brentford 0

Kyle Bartley’s last minute header secured Leeds United a crucial three points over Brentford in the Championship, ensuring the Whites will be in the Play-Offs on Christmas Day.

Head coach Garry Monk was forced to shuffle his team from Tuesday’s victory over Reading, with Kalvin Phillips returning from suspension to replace the injured Chris Wood.

Leeds had a good chance on the 15 minute mark, Kemar Roofe teed up Stuart Dallas to strike in the Brentford penalty box, but he could only fire over the crossbar.

Lasse Vibe had the visitors first opportunity of the game a minute later, Romaine Sawyers did well to pick up possession, but Rob Green made an easy save.

Brentford again went close soon after, Tom Field put in an excellent cross, but Scott Hogan couldn’t get the better of Green with his diving header.

The visitors then had back to back chances, captain Harlee Dean forced Green into action once again with an effort from the edge of the box, before Romaine Sawyers fired over moments later.

The Bees then had the ball in the back of the net from a well worked free-kick, Vibe squared to Hogan, but the striker was in an offside position.

United had a really good opportunity before the break, Hadi Sacko did well on the flank to set up Roofe and the attacker saw his effort deflect just wide of the post.

Half Time: Leeds United 0-0 Brentford

In the second half Ryan Woods went close from a free-kick, he saw his effort deflect just wide.

Luke Ayling had the best chance of the game to break the deadlock, from a Stuart Dallas corner, the full-back chested before unleashing a powerful half volley, but he could only send it over the crossbar.

Dallas then sent Doukara down the left wing before the forward broke into the box, through one-on-one, but he was unable to find the target from a narrow angle.

Ayling then had another opportunity, Sacko did brilliantly on the right wing to prevent the ball from going out for a goal-kick, he then teed up Ayling who struck just wide with the outside of his boot.

With two minutes remaining Sacko again did well on the flank to break into the penalty area and win Leeds a corner.  United took it short and Dallas whipped in a fine cross which was met by the head of Bartley to lift the roof off Elland Road.

Brentford almost levelled in the third minute of added time, when John Egan’s hooked effort skimmed the cross-bar, but United held on sparking celebrations on the pitch at the final whistle, with Leeds recording a third win and clean sheet in a row at Elland Road.

Full Time: Leeds United 1-0 Brentford

Leeds: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor (Berardi 58), Vieira, Phillips (Bridcutt 72), Dallas, Sacko, Roofe, Doukara (Antonsson 79).  Subs not used: Silvestri, Cooper, Grimes, Mowatt.

Brentford: Bentley, Colin, Bjelland, Dean, Yannaris (McEachran 72), Hogan, Egan, Woods, Sawyers, Vibe (Kaikai 79), Field (Barbet 83).  Subs not used: Bonham, Saunders, Hofmann, Kerschbaumer, Kaikai, Barbet.

Booked: Bartley (Leeds), Egan (Brentford)

Referee: D. Bond

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 25,134