LEEDS 1-2 SHEFF UTD: Youngster Brooks Sends Blades Top With Win
Leeds United were beaten 2-1 by an impressive Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday night, making it 9 wins in the last 11 matches for Chris Wilde's men.
In a first half that saw the away side take the lead after just 3 minutes through Billy Sharp, a volleyed finish from promising midfielder Kalvin Phillips saw the two Yorkshire teams head in at the break locked level.
The Blades dominated the opening exchanges creating multiple clear cut chances thanks to intense high pressing up the pitch. Newly promoted Sheffield United created three clear cut chances after going ahead with a Sharp header, his sixth goal this season, after Mark Duffy crossed the ball to the back post.
It was the worst possible start for the home side, who had lost 3 of their last 4 league games, and Sharp was denied by a brilliant Andy Lonergan save to deny him a brace, saving with from point blank range after Leon Clarke squared to Sharp in the Leeds box.
Sharp should definitely have got his second later in the half just before Leeds' equaliser, but was denied from point blank range again by 34 year-old Lonergan, who kept his side in it in the first half. A quick free kick caught a shaky Leeds defence sleeping, and Sharp's shot from inside the box was straight at the 'keeper.
The Leeds defence did not see the inclusion of last year's Player of the year Pontus Janssen, a man who signed a new contract with the club this week. He later replaced Lee Cooper who picked up an injury, and partnered Everton loanee Matthew Pennington.
But a goal against the run of play got Leeds level, summer arrival Samuel Saiz was a creative threat all evening and swung a cross in to Pierre Lassoga who lurked outside the box, and his presence caused panic in the Sheffield United defence, who could only clear as far as Phillips for his fifth goal this season.
21 year-old Philips has come of age this season, playing in a variety of central positions in the Leeds midfield. He played close to target man Lassoga and got in attacking areas on a number of occasions during the game. Signed as a youth scholar, Phillips had only netted twice in over fourty games for the club before this seasons flurry of goals.
Spanish midfielder Samu Saiz hit the post with a stunning left footed effort from outside the area at the start of the second half, just swinging away from the target as it curled onto the right hand post.
But they failed create anything clear-cut after that close miss, with the home side having seven touches in the opponents box compared the Sheffield's twenty four.
The away side looked comfortable and sent on hot prospect David Brooks, who has shone for England's youth teams this year playing as a winger or attacking midfielder. Mark Duffy picked up the ball halfway inside the Leeds half and drove at the defence before playing a brilliantly weighted pass to Brooks, who clinically finished for his first professional goal, sliding it past the onrushing Lonergan at an angle.
In what has been an impressive year for England's youth teams, David Brooks starred for England's under 20 side at the Toulon tournament, picking up the best player award as well as scoring in the final as they beat Ivory Coast. He only featured twice for his clubs Under 23 side, scoring twice in just two games, before making his first appearance in the Carabao Cup first round.
He has gone on to feature in thirteen games this season, recording two assists before that crucial goal at Elland Road to secure the points against their local rivals on Friday.
A huge factor in Sheffield United's rise from League One to top of the Championship has been the change to a back three. Since they altered to that formation against Gillingham in September of last year, Chris Wilde's side have a 70% win ratio.
