LEEDS United earned a point late on through Mustapha Carayol’s impressive curled effort in what was a wet and windy midweek clash at Griffin Park Brentford last night.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with the strong wind playing a part and causing a few wayward balls for both sides. Chris Wood, the Whites striker who reclaimed his position in the starting line-up after an absence with injury, had to be replaced by Mirco Antenucci on the 19th minute after pulling up with a tight hamstring. Leeds had few chances; Antenucci had his strike saved well by Brentford keeper Button, and also a penalty appeal turned down after Cook played him through with an inch-perfect through ball. Brentford arguably had the better chances, keeping the ball well in attack and putting in some dangerous crosses, but failing to convert them.
The Bees were rewarded for their persistent pressure in the 28th minute through a fine shot from Sam Saunders, who was allowed to drive from the halfway line unchallenged and drill his shot low past keeper Marco Silvestri. However, the home side failed to capitalise on a number of key chances which would have doubled their lead, despite confidently controlling possession in what was a convincing first-half performance.
There were no changes for either side at the start of the second half and the Whites got off to a better start after the break.
Following the re-start, Stuart Dallas – an ex-Brentford player – played a good ball into Antenucci who forced Button to make a save with his feet, who then produced a second from Dallas’ effort on the rebound. In the 51st minute Souleymane Doukara had his deflected shot from 20 yards out saved by the keeper, before Brentford took the ball down the other end of the pitch and Judge’s shot, also deflected, was saved by Silvestri. Doukara latched onto a Brentford back pass and attempted to lob the keeper from 30 yards out, narrowly missing the goal. Following a spell of chances, the ball fell to Leeds midfielder Carayol who skilfully placed it in the corner of the net with a fine curling effort from 18 yards out and with it denied Brentford a second consecutive league win.
A point on the road for the Whites could signal the end of any playoff ambitions as the gap has become too large at this stage in the season. Following their 1-0 victory against Bristol city last week, there is yet a slight possibility of a play-off run if the Whites could string together a series of wins, yet now it seems very unlikely. Steve Evans will probably look to get in a striker before the transfer window ends and try to hold onto key players, with the mind set now of strengthening for a promotion push next season.
Leeds United – Silvestri, Wooton, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor, Dallas (Carayol – 76’), Bridcutt, Murphy (Diagouraga – 60’) , Cook, Doukara, Wood (Antenucci – 19’). Subs – Peacock-Farrell, Antenucci, Diagouraga, Carayol, Adeyemi, Phillips, Coyle
Brentford – Button, Colin, Bidwell, Dean, Saunders (Gogia – 65’), McEachran, Woods, Judge, Swift (Yennaris – 88’), Vibe (Djuricin – 65’), Barbet. Subs – Bonham, Djuricin, Hofmann, Kerschbaumer, O’Connell, Gogia, Yennaris
Sam Dixon
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