Joel Piroe’s 92nd minute penalty enough to secure Leeds United a massive win at Elland Road after a firey encounter at Elland Road.
The lunch time kick-off on Sunday saw 4th place Leeds United take on 12th place Preston at Elland Road. The home side came into this on the back of three 3-0 wins, two in the league and one in the FA CUP. Preston on the other hand beat Bristol City 2-1 at Deepdale but lost to Chelsea and Sunderland before that. Leeds were unchanged from the win at Cardiff, however Wilfried Gnonto wasn’t in the squad with a hip flexor injury. No Pascal Strujik either who looks to miss three more games due to injury, whilst Preston had Duane Holmes, Freddie Woodman and Milutin Osmajic all missing through Illness.
Within the first 70 seconds Preston took the lead, Will Keane put Preston ahead, Liam Lindsay headed back across goal from a poor free-kick from Whiteman, Leeds didn’t deal with it, and then Whiteman mishit a shot and Millar played it across for Keane who had a tap in. Four minutes later, Leeds were level, Summerville finds Firpo who whipped in a brilliant delivery for Dan James and the Welshmen heads home. In the 10th minute, Glen Kamara loses possession, the dangerous Liam Millar forces Illan Meslier into a save, following the corner, a massive scramble but Leeds got it clear just. Not many teams came to Elland Road and started how Preston did in the first 15 minutes, in the 15th minute, a brilliant pass from Ampadu finds Bamford who nearly gets on the poor header from Hughes but the ball bounces out for a goal-kick. 23rd minute, ball falls to Summerville cutting in onto his left foot but the winger shoots well over. Leeds win a free-kick after good work from Summerville and James, Firpo curled the free-kick over the bar. In the 33rd minute Joe Rodon found Dan James down the right, his cross is met by the head of Bamford but the striker couldn’t generate the height or power to really test Cornell. Five minutes before half time, a Gruev corner is met by Rutter but heads it miles over, really should of done better. 1-1 at Half time, Preston and Ryan Lowe definitely the happier.
A minute into the second half, Leeds hit the post, brilliant play by Summerville who finds Rutter and the Frenchmen is denied by the woodwork. Preston then give the ball away, rutter plays in Bamford but he couldn’t keep his attempt down. A brilliant ball from Ampadu again found James, Cornell came out and the ball fell to Bamford , with his effort cleared. A couple minutes later, another chance for Leeds Bamford plays in James who tries to chip Cornall but the ball lands on the roof of the net, fortunately for Preston. 67th minute Rutter booked for diving even though there was contact from whiteman. Ryan Ledson came on for Ali Mccann who was booked in the first half for Preston. Rutter chooses the wrong option and decides to shoot when Firpo was overlapping and in space, Fornall then nearly drops firpo’s cross into his own net. Byram and Piroe came on for Glen Kamara and Junior Firpo and a triple change for Preston with Brady, Browne and Stewart replacing Keane, Millar and Riis. In the 84th minute Preston keeper booked for time wasting, just before that Archie Gray and Robbie Brady went at each other after Gray is bundled into the advertising boards. Referee lost control of the game in the first half, kicked off between the players after Gruev was fouled by Ledson. Then in the 92nd minute Leeds win a Penalty after handball against Ledson, Despite the Preston complaints the referee wasn’t changing his mind. Joel Piroe stepped up and scored calm as you like. Massive three points for Leeds United, Heartbreak for Preston and Ryan Lowe. Lowe saying after the game “if there was VAR it wouldn’t be given.”