'Rabbits in headlights': How the national media reacted to Leeds United win over Bristol City Several national papers argued that City were lucky to keep the score at 1-0 after a particularly dominant first half at Elland Road The word 'dominance' was thrown around a lot on Saturday after Leeds United's win over Bristol City at Elland Road. And it certainly was dominance in the first half, with the Robins struggling to bring the ball out of their own half. National and regional media outlets from across the country were present at Elland Road to witness the narrow win, with Marcelo Bielsa's side looking dangerous from the off. If it wasn't for City keeper Dan Bentley, the deficit would have been much worse, but City weren't without their chances. Nahki Wells and Jamie Paterson both had reasonable chances, and City were denied a penalty when Luke Ayling appeared the handle the ball in his box. See how the national media reacted to the result. BBC The hosts went into the game on the back of a run of just one win in seven league games but the visitors could not live with their intensity in difficult conditions. They could have gone in front before Ayling hammered in his second goal of the season, while Costa and Stuart Dallas went close to making it two before Patrick Bamford had an effort ruled out for offside as the hosts threatened to run away with it before the break. Their dominance continued in the second half but excellent goalkeeping from Bentley kept Lee Johnson's side in the contest and Wells should perhaps have done better when played in on goal by substitute Famara Diedhiou late on. Talksport Leeds closed the gap on Championship leaders West Brom with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Bristol City at Elland Road. Marcelo Bielsa’s men had the chance to reduce their deficit on the Baggies to four points after they could only manage a draw at home to Nottingham Forest in the lunchtime game. And that chance was grabbed with both hands with Luke Ayling’s first-half goal enough to secure the three points. Press Association Luke Ayling scored against his former side as Leeds eked out a gritty win to go three points clear in the Championship’s automatic promotion spots. The defender lashed home early on but despite dominating the encounter, the hosts could not add to their total. Leeds made an electric start and their captain, Liam Cooper, nodded wide from a corner after two minutes. Helder Costa’s near-post effort was well stopped by Dan Bentley. The visitors were struggling to live with Leeds at times, but their patterns of good buildup play were without any end product – a familiar theme this season. The visitors started brightly after the restart and were appealing for a penalty after Ayling blocked a shot in the area. The referee, Tim Robinson, was uninterested despite the vocal appeals from Lee Johnson and his coaching staff. Yorkshire Evening Post It says it all that they battered Lee Johnson's side and yet only ran out 1-0 winners. There was madness at Elland Road too. Whatever gameplan Bristol City concocted before heading north, they invited trouble by sitting off Leeds in the early stages, even after conceding. Johnson accused a number of his players of hiding when they had the ball, on the rare occasions they did actually have the ball, but when Leeds are in full flight, there is no where to hide. The warning signs were there from the off when a pair of early corners, a resource that tends to yield little in the way of joy or danger for Leeds United, brought a blocked Helder Costa shot and a glancing Liam Cooper header that sailed just past the post. Bristol City were more rabbits in headlights than Robins. They did not heed the warning. The visitors had two men up top but did not press the ball, even when Leeds crossed halfway. It was only when the Whites arrived at a packed penalty area that they were met with any real opposition. Telegraph If Leeds United were wobbling like a knocked vase, teetering precariously on the edge of seeing another promotion push smashed to smithereens, this was the moment they stopped and stood tall again. It was not as easy as it could have been, it rarely is for this team, but it was a classy performance against a promotion rival in Bristol City. Most of all it was a vital victory, the value of which soared when it emerged Leeds were the only team in the top seven of the Championship to win. Times Luke Ayling’s goal helped Leeds United negotiate another tricky hurdle in their promotion bid although results away from Elland Road will have given supporters as much optimism as did this victory over Bristol City. Marcelo Bielsa’s side were the only winners from among the morning’s top six Championship teams while these three points opened a six-point gap over City, in seventh. A spell of early Leeds pressure culminated in a thoroughly deserved 15th-minute opening goal and an audible sigh of relief around Elland Road. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...rabbits-headlights-how-national-media-3853302
The words 'Dominance' - ' Struggling' - 'Battered' - ' Madness' - ' Rabbits in headlights' - ' Invited trouble' were all used by national outlets to descibe our performance yesterday, it doesn't make good reading but descibes exacctly what the nation read about us today, I hope we recover some of our poise and pride against WBA on Saturday.
Anything other than a Leeds win would have been a travesty. we just weren’t at the races again against Leeds.
Its because it’s Leeds, who are the biggest club in the world in many of their fans minds, and the media hype it up as well. We have had a few games this season where we have had 68-70% and also only won 1-0 or even lost, and nobody is talking us up.
Citys man of the match was Bentley who was on top form. Leeds only had to score one unless Citys one shot in target went in. Men v boys.
they only looked good because we let them... due to it may seem there was a certain amount of illness during the week …. if you are an office bod or sit on your ass all day or most of it sickness and /cold/flu/ bugs have little physical effect .. for active people it is a lot ….
Thought after I posted duh that post is irony!!! Not so sure about illness. Been playing counter attack and quite al lot of long ball. Played similar v Derby who are not as good. illness would be a poor excuse with a squad the size of Citys. Leeds deserve the praise. Very good team and good to watch.
You say its a poor excuse but is it? Leeds away was always going to be a tough fixture with a fully fit squad let alone with players struggling with illness. If you cant start your top scorer, have to rush back a player to play out of position at right back, and having to take your second striker off in the first half its going to disrupt the side, the last thing we wanted in this fixture.
Clinton Morrison was watching the game live in the Sky Studio and backed up all of what was said elsewhere. He said it should have been 5 or more that Leeds scored.
This is a good neutral analysis of the game ~ https://totalfootballanalysis.com/m...ted-vs-bristol-city-tactical-analysis-tactics
Yeah City got bossed at home swell. City were second best all over the pitch in their 1v1's. City still played counter attack. Lot of long ball as normal or as normal as can be expected with LJ. No excuses. Leeds are a better team. Miles better watch.
I don't think we are setting up to be pretty to watch, just to grind results out.......which some of the time it's working out.Leeds was always going to be a tough call.........Other teams around us are nearly as inconsistent as we are.....and we are still in with a shout for playoffs..so not all bad.
Speaking to Leeds fans in work, they seem more pissed off about the result than us. I think this highlighted that they’ve not got the best in Bamford as their main striker. Even games they’ve lost, they have been on top of most teams.
