Leeds 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2007
Leeds 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2007
Leeds United: Neil Sullivan, Robbie Elliott, Hayden Foxe, Manuel Rui Marques, Eddie Lewis, Frazer Richardson (Ian Westlake 61), Kevin Nicholls, Jonathon Douglas, Robert Blake (Jonathan Howson 75), David Healy, Ian Moore (Tresor Kandol 73)
Subs not used: Sebastien Carole, Tony Warner
Booked: Kevin Nicholls 54, Jonathon Douglas 68
Goals: Healy 15, Douglas 53
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, Andrew Whing (Darren Currie 69), Robert Page, Isaac Osbourne, Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 55), Jay Tabb (Dele Adebola 56), Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle, Adam Virgo
Subs not used: Colin Cameron, Stern John
Booked: Andrew Whing 27, Robert Page 13, Kevin Kyle 65
Goals: Virgo 43
Attendance: 18158
Referee: M Pike
Teamtalk
A new year gave new hope to Leeds as Jonathon Douglas' winning strike in a 2-1 win over Coventry breathed new life into their relegation fight.
The midfielder chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the season with a 53rd-minute strike which handed the fallen giants three precious points.
David Healy's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Adam Virgo on the stroke of half-time but Leeds showed impressive character to grind out victory.
It was a first win in eight games for Dennis Wise's men, who went into the game on the back of a disastrous seven-match sequence which yielded just two points.
With further additions set to be made to their squad during the transfer window, Leeds at least now have hope that relegation to the third tier for the first time in their history can be avoided.
They remain in deep trouble in the relegation zone but there was a resilience about Wise's men in the second half that should serve them well in the coming months.
The Leeds boss swung the axe in the wake of his side's recent run and most notable among his changes were the inclusion of Robbie Elliott and Neil Sullivan.
Elliott was handed a debut at left-back following his arrival from Sunderland while Sullivan returned in goal in place of Tony Warner.
A line-up which included Healy, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore offered Leeds plenty of attacking impetus and Coventry came under pressure from the first whistle.
In the second minute, Douglas dispossessed Marcus Hall and raced to the byline before cutting a dangerous low ball across the face of goal.
No Leeds player was on hand to profit but the breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes played.
An Eddie Lewis corner from the right was flicked on and found its way to the unmarked Healy at the far post.
The Ulsterman, who has been linked with a move to Premiership sides Charlton and Wigan, collected possession and cleverly engineered the space to rifle a low shot into the far corner.
It was Healy's first goal in seven games and just the start Leeds needed.
Coventry's first real attacking threat came in the 18th minute when Virgo fired into the side netting, but Leeds were largely dominant.
Shortly before the half hour mark Blake hit a delightful free-kick from 22 yards which bounced back off the crossbar.
Six minutes later, a sickening sense of deja vu engulfed Elland Road as Lewis produced an equally impressive free-kick which also smacked the crossbar.
Having rode their luck, Coventry were level two minutes before the break when Kevin Kyle hit a hopeful-looking cross into the box and Virgo arrived to sidefoot home from six yards.
However, Leeds responded in style by reclaiming the lead eight minutes after the restart following good work from Lewis.
The USA international carried the ball deep into Coventry's half and found Healy with a neat pass inside the 18-yard box.
Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall raced off his line to avert the danger but his parry fell straight to Douglas, who gleefully fired home the loose ball from 10 yards.
Coventry's response was impressive and they enjoyed spells of sustained pressure but substitute Dele Adebola spurned their best chance when he blazed wide from six yards in the 86th minute.
There was still time for Kyle to head against the post in the final minute but Leeds held on for victory.
CCFC
Coventry City suffered their third defeat in four games when they lost 2-1 against Leeds United on New Years Day. Adam Virgo had leveled the score for the Sky Blues after David Healy's opener but a goal from Douglas secured all three points for Dennis Wise's men.
Micky Adams made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Southend United. The back four was unchanged but Isaac Osbourne came into the team for Stephen Hughes, who was not in the 16. Jay Tabb replaced Darren Currie on the left wing, while Virgo came in for Leon McKenzie and started up front with Kevin Kyle. Matt Heath was not allowed to play in the fixture as part of the loan agreement between the two clubs.
Leeds had the best chance to open the scoring in the third minute when Jonathan Douglas caught Marcus Hall in possession and crossed into the box - forcing Andy Marshall to palm away ahead of the lurking Moore.
Page produced a great challenge on Moore with seven minutes on the clock, before the Sky Blues' skipper went into the book for dissent on 13 minutes.
By this time, the home team were having the majority of possession and it was no surprise - although a little disappointing - when they took the lead on 15 minutes. From Lewis' corner, the ball came out to the Northern Ireland international, who found enough space to turn in the area and finish into the bottom corner.
It prompted the Sky Blues to try and get back on level terms and at the other end, Tabb played the ball through to Virgo, who struck the ball well but only into the side netting.
Ward shot into the arms of the keeper from a Birchall corner, before the Sky Blues had a golden opportunity to score, when Kyle shot at the near post, only for the ball to hit Sullivan and trickle wide.
Whing went into the book for pulling back Lewis on 26 minutes and from the resulting free-kick, Robbie Blake rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot before Coventry cleared their lines.
It was a case of déjà vu seven minutes later, when Osbourne was adjudged to have fouled Nicholls and Lewis stepped up to the set-piece, only to hit the crossbar again.
But it was to be Coventry City who would score next on 43 minutes - courtesy of utility man Virgo. Kyle was the provider as he crossed it into the danger area and the on-loan Celtic man made no mistake as he finished with aplomb from six yards.
Leeds began the second period of play brightly when Lewis broke down the left-hand side and found Moore who fired a low shot towards the far corner, the Sky Blues 'keeper saved with relative ease.
Disaster struck on 52 minutes when Leeds again took the lead, Lewis found Healy who forced a good save from Marshall however the ball squirmed loose when Coventry failed to clear their lines and Douglas coolly slotted the ball home.
The goal forced Micky Adams into a double substitution with Leon McKenzie coming on for Birchall and Dele Adebola replacing Tabb on 56 minutes. The switch saw Virgo drop back into midfield and Adebola partnering Kyle up front.
Adebola made an instant impression with the former Crewe man setting up Virgo who hit a low shot from the edge of the area straight at Sullivan. The Sky Blues made their final change of the afternoon with Darren Currie replacing the limping Whing on 69 minutes, the switch saw Virgo reverting to right-back.
Coventry began to take the game by the scruff of the neck when Kyle went close with a header but the Scottish international could only direct his header wide of goal before Currie tested Sullivan with a long range free-kick in the 78th minute.
With less than five minutes remaining on the clock, City began to press the Leeds goal and Adebola came the closest to leveling the score when he shot into the side netting from a Currie cross.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes additional time and Kyle nearly made the score 2-2 when the former Black Cats man agonizingly headed against the post from a McKenzie cross.
4thegame
Jonathan Douglas' first goal since February settled a tension packed contest as Leeds collected their first win in eight matches.
David Healy gave Leeds a rare lead, only for Adam Virgo to equalise just before half-time, but Douglas pounced for the 53rd minute winner after Healy had tried to bundle the ball over the line.
Kevin Kyle hit a Leeds post in injury time but Dennis Wise's men held out.
There was much more purpose and zest from Leeds than they had shown for many weeks as they chased their first win in eight matches. Coventry had been booed off in successive games against Ipswich and Southend and their confidence was at a low ebb.
Wise signed Sunderland left-back Robbie Elliott on an initial month's loan and handed him a debut.
Keeper Neil Sullivan came in for his first start since October, former Maritimo central defender Manuel Rui Marques made a rare appearance and skipper Kevin Nicholls brought much needed power and imagination to the midfield on his return from a three-match suspension.
Coventry boss Micky Adams reacted to Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Southend by replacing Darren Currie, Stephen Hughes and Leon McKenzie with Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne and Virgo.
Leeds were much quicker to settle and they scored the first goal for the first time in nine games. With 15 minutes gone, Coventry failed to clear Eddie Lewis' corner from the right, Healy controlled the ball beyond the far post, turned and drilled his shot into the bottom far corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Nicholls tried his luck with a powerful 30-yard drive which was only just too high.
Coventry at last began to show their attacking teeth and, after Virgo had wasted a good chance by shooting into the side-netting, Sullivan had to make a point-blank save to deny Kyle an equaliser.
Robbie Blake struck Coventry's bar with a 25-yard free-kick after Lewis had been brought down by Andy Whing in full flight, and the bar foiled Leeds again from Lewis' free-kick after the lively Nicholls was fouled by Osbourne.
Despite taking a back seat for so long, Coventry equalised in the 43rd minute. Marques made a weak headed clearance, Kyle whipped the ball into the goalmouth from the left and Virgo gave Sullivan no chance, shooting home from six yards.
However, Leeds' winner arrived when Lewis made one of his many runs, Healy was blocked by keeper Andy Marshall and Douglas lashed the loose ball into the net.
After the win Leeds manager Dennis Wise hailed David Healy's return to form, saying: "It was like having a new player. He was fantastic and I was chuffed to bits for him that he scored.
"He's gone through a barren spell and responded in the right manner. Obviously when he plays like that I don't want to lose him. He had an extra yard of pace today and that's what we want from him." Wise added: "It was a good performance from us in the first half and we could have been three or four up.
"We hit the bar twice and they scored from their first effort and I thought 'here we go again'. But we came out for the second half and battled well, showing good character to get the win." Coventry manager Micky Adams accused some of his men of playing 'powder-puff football.' He said: "It isn't good enough. Things are not going well at the moment.
"When results go against you, obviously you're under pressure. It would be naive of me to say otherwise, but I've been in this situation before at Coventry and got through it.
"Will I be given time? You're asking the wrong person that question, but I'll go out of this football club kicking and screaming. The next game can't come quickly enough."
Leeds United: Neil Sullivan, Robbie Elliott, Hayden Foxe, Manuel Rui Marques, Eddie Lewis, Frazer Richardson (Ian Westlake 61), Kevin Nicholls, Jonathon Douglas, Robert Blake (Jonathan Howson 75), David Healy, Ian Moore (Tresor Kandol 73)
Subs not used: Sebastien Carole, Tony Warner
Booked: Kevin Nicholls 54, Jonathon Douglas 68
Goals: Healy 15, Douglas 53
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, Andrew Whing (Darren Currie 69), Robert Page, Isaac Osbourne, Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 55), Jay Tabb (Dele Adebola 56), Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle, Adam Virgo
Subs not used: Colin Cameron, Stern John
Booked: Andrew Whing 27, Robert Page 13, Kevin Kyle 65
Goals: Virgo 43
Attendance: 18158
Referee: M Pike
Teamtalk
A new year gave new hope to Leeds as Jonathon Douglas' winning strike in a 2-1 win over Coventry breathed new life into their relegation fight.
The midfielder chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the season with a 53rd-minute strike which handed the fallen giants three precious points.
David Healy's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Adam Virgo on the stroke of half-time but Leeds showed impressive character to grind out victory.
It was a first win in eight games for Dennis Wise's men, who went into the game on the back of a disastrous seven-match sequence which yielded just two points.
With further additions set to be made to their squad during the transfer window, Leeds at least now have hope that relegation to the third tier for the first time in their history can be avoided.
They remain in deep trouble in the relegation zone but there was a resilience about Wise's men in the second half that should serve them well in the coming months.
The Leeds boss swung the axe in the wake of his side's recent run and most notable among his changes were the inclusion of Robbie Elliott and Neil Sullivan.
Elliott was handed a debut at left-back following his arrival from Sunderland while Sullivan returned in goal in place of Tony Warner.
A line-up which included Healy, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore offered Leeds plenty of attacking impetus and Coventry came under pressure from the first whistle.
In the second minute, Douglas dispossessed Marcus Hall and raced to the byline before cutting a dangerous low ball across the face of goal.
No Leeds player was on hand to profit but the breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes played.
An Eddie Lewis corner from the right was flicked on and found its way to the unmarked Healy at the far post.
The Ulsterman, who has been linked with a move to Premiership sides Charlton and Wigan, collected possession and cleverly engineered the space to rifle a low shot into the far corner.
It was Healy's first goal in seven games and just the start Leeds needed.
Coventry's first real attacking threat came in the 18th minute when Virgo fired into the side netting, but Leeds were largely dominant.
Shortly before the half hour mark Blake hit a delightful free-kick from 22 yards which bounced back off the crossbar.
Six minutes later, a sickening sense of deja vu engulfed Elland Road as Lewis produced an equally impressive free-kick which also smacked the crossbar.
Having rode their luck, Coventry were level two minutes before the break when Kevin Kyle hit a hopeful-looking cross into the box and Virgo arrived to sidefoot home from six yards.
However, Leeds responded in style by reclaiming the lead eight minutes after the restart following good work from Lewis.
The USA international carried the ball deep into Coventry's half and found Healy with a neat pass inside the 18-yard box.
Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall raced off his line to avert the danger but his parry fell straight to Douglas, who gleefully fired home the loose ball from 10 yards.
Coventry's response was impressive and they enjoyed spells of sustained pressure but substitute Dele Adebola spurned their best chance when he blazed wide from six yards in the 86th minute.
There was still time for Kyle to head against the post in the final minute but Leeds held on for victory.
CCFC
Coventry City suffered their third defeat in four games when they lost 2-1 against Leeds United on New Years Day. Adam Virgo had leveled the score for the Sky Blues after David Healy's opener but a goal from Douglas secured all three points for Dennis Wise's men.
Micky Adams made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Southend United. The back four was unchanged but Isaac Osbourne came into the team for Stephen Hughes, who was not in the 16. Jay Tabb replaced Darren Currie on the left wing, while Virgo came in for Leon McKenzie and started up front with Kevin Kyle. Matt Heath was not allowed to play in the fixture as part of the loan agreement between the two clubs.
Leeds had the best chance to open the scoring in the third minute when Jonathan Douglas caught Marcus Hall in possession and crossed into the box - forcing Andy Marshall to palm away ahead of the lurking Moore.
Page produced a great challenge on Moore with seven minutes on the clock, before the Sky Blues' skipper went into the book for dissent on 13 minutes.
By this time, the home team were having the majority of possession and it was no surprise - although a little disappointing - when they took the lead on 15 minutes. From Lewis' corner, the ball came out to the Northern Ireland international, who found enough space to turn in the area and finish into the bottom corner.
It prompted the Sky Blues to try and get back on level terms and at the other end, Tabb played the ball through to Virgo, who struck the ball well but only into the side netting.
Ward shot into the arms of the keeper from a Birchall corner, before the Sky Blues had a golden opportunity to score, when Kyle shot at the near post, only for the ball to hit Sullivan and trickle wide.
Whing went into the book for pulling back Lewis on 26 minutes and from the resulting free-kick, Robbie Blake rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot before Coventry cleared their lines.
It was a case of déjà vu seven minutes later, when Osbourne was adjudged to have fouled Nicholls and Lewis stepped up to the set-piece, only to hit the crossbar again.
But it was to be Coventry City who would score next on 43 minutes - courtesy of utility man Virgo. Kyle was the provider as he crossed it into the danger area and the on-loan Celtic man made no mistake as he finished with aplomb from six yards.
Leeds began the second period of play brightly when Lewis broke down the left-hand side and found Moore who fired a low shot towards the far corner, the Sky Blues 'keeper saved with relative ease.
Disaster struck on 52 minutes when Leeds again took the lead, Lewis found Healy who forced a good save from Marshall however the ball squirmed loose when Coventry failed to clear their lines and Douglas coolly slotted the ball home.
The goal forced Micky Adams into a double substitution with Leon McKenzie coming on for Birchall and Dele Adebola replacing Tabb on 56 minutes. The switch saw Virgo drop back into midfield and Adebola partnering Kyle up front.
Adebola made an instant impression with the former Crewe man setting up Virgo who hit a low shot from the edge of the area straight at Sullivan. The Sky Blues made their final change of the afternoon with Darren Currie replacing the limping Whing on 69 minutes, the switch saw Virgo reverting to right-back.
Coventry began to take the game by the scruff of the neck when Kyle went close with a header but the Scottish international could only direct his header wide of goal before Currie tested Sullivan with a long range free-kick in the 78th minute.
With less than five minutes remaining on the clock, City began to press the Leeds goal and Adebola came the closest to leveling the score when he shot into the side netting from a Currie cross.
The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes additional time and Kyle nearly made the score 2-2 when the former Black Cats man agonizingly headed against the post from a McKenzie cross.
4thegame
Jonathan Douglas' first goal since February settled a tension packed contest as Leeds collected their first win in eight matches.
David Healy gave Leeds a rare lead, only for Adam Virgo to equalise just before half-time, but Douglas pounced for the 53rd minute winner after Healy had tried to bundle the ball over the line.
Kevin Kyle hit a Leeds post in injury time but Dennis Wise's men held out.
There was much more purpose and zest from Leeds than they had shown for many weeks as they chased their first win in eight matches. Coventry had been booed off in successive games against Ipswich and Southend and their confidence was at a low ebb.
Wise signed Sunderland left-back Robbie Elliott on an initial month's loan and handed him a debut.
Keeper Neil Sullivan came in for his first start since October, former Maritimo central defender Manuel Rui Marques made a rare appearance and skipper Kevin Nicholls brought much needed power and imagination to the midfield on his return from a three-match suspension.
Coventry boss Micky Adams reacted to Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Southend by replacing Darren Currie, Stephen Hughes and Leon McKenzie with Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne and Virgo.
Leeds were much quicker to settle and they scored the first goal for the first time in nine games. With 15 minutes gone, Coventry failed to clear Eddie Lewis' corner from the right, Healy controlled the ball beyond the far post, turned and drilled his shot into the bottom far corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Nicholls tried his luck with a powerful 30-yard drive which was only just too high.
Coventry at last began to show their attacking teeth and, after Virgo had wasted a good chance by shooting into the side-netting, Sullivan had to make a point-blank save to deny Kyle an equaliser.
Robbie Blake struck Coventry's bar with a 25-yard free-kick after Lewis had been brought down by Andy Whing in full flight, and the bar foiled Leeds again from Lewis' free-kick after the lively Nicholls was fouled by Osbourne.
Despite taking a back seat for so long, Coventry equalised in the 43rd minute. Marques made a weak headed clearance, Kyle whipped the ball into the goalmouth from the left and Virgo gave Sullivan no chance, shooting home from six yards.
However, Leeds' winner arrived when Lewis made one of his many runs, Healy was blocked by keeper Andy Marshall and Douglas lashed the loose ball into the net.
After the win Leeds manager Dennis Wise hailed David Healy's return to form, saying: "It was like having a new player. He was fantastic and I was chuffed to bits for him that he scored.
"He's gone through a barren spell and responded in the right manner. Obviously when he plays like that I don't want to lose him. He had an extra yard of pace today and that's what we want from him." Wise added: "It was a good performance from us in the first half and we could have been three or four up.
"We hit the bar twice and they scored from their first effort and I thought 'here we go again'. But we came out for the second half and battled well, showing good character to get the win." Coventry manager Micky Adams accused some of his men of playing 'powder-puff football.' He said: "It isn't good enough. Things are not going well at the moment.
"When results go against you, obviously you're under pressure. It would be naive of me to say otherwise, but I've been in this situation before at Coventry and got through it.
"Will I be given time? You're asking the wrong person that question, but I'll go out of this football club kicking and screaming. The next game can't come quickly enough."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 7:30 pm
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