Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United 9th December 2023 at Ewood Park please log in to view this image please log in to view this image I arrived at a wet Elland Road in good time for the coach and with over 7,000 Leeds fans travelling to the game, plus some train issues, we had two today. We ground to a halt on the M62 and when both a police car and fire engine went past on the hard shoulder, we feared the worst but luckily within 10 minutes were on our way again. I was looking for a good atmosphere and there was a good buzz about the away end I’m pleased to say so well done everyone. That said, I know we haven’t played them for a while, but there were a lot of empty seats to be seen in the Blackburn end plus the top tier at the far side, totally empty. It wasn’t a surprise when a few Leeds fans were identified in their stand to the side of us, but it all kicked off as they were being escorted down the stand. Team: Meslier, Struijk, Rodon, James, Rutter, Summerville, Kamara, Gray, Ampadu, Byram, Piroe. Subs: Spence for Byram (70), Gnonto for James (70), Anthony for Summerville (84), Gruev for Piroe (89), Joseph for Rutter (89). Subs not used: Darlow, Cooper, Shackleton, Gelhardt. Leeds won the game 2-0 with James (27) and Summerville (75) scoring the goals. Attendance: 20,963 with 7,515 Leeds fans. Referee: R. Madley. Booked: Gray, Ampadu. After all the action at the start of our last two games, this wasn’t the case today. Blackburn were up for the battle with some early corners which Leeds stood up to well. Leeds won a free kick which Piroe took only to see his shot hit one of their players before going narrowly wide. Leeds then turned a Blackburn attack on its head with a brilliant run down the wing from Rutter after Summerville’s pass. He kept on his feet with the ball, despite a Blackburn player’s attempt to stop him but he was too strong. Rutter got near the penalty area and sent an inch perfect pass over to Dan James on the right wing, who sent the ball into the net with a great shot. A fantastic piece of football once again with that never give up attitude which is great to see. James nearly reciprocated Rutter with a chance shortly after this, but the ball was just too far away from him to get a touch to put it into the net. Meslier made a great save from a Blackburn header which was then given offside anyway. Their best chance of the half came just before the break with a header over the bar as Leeds went in still one goal up. Blackburn came out the stronger of the sides at the start of the second half with constant attacks. I didn’t feel too worried though even as they slammed the ball into the side netting. Leeds made a couple of subs which gave us a bit of new energy and Gnonto was unlucky not to score when his shot was put over the bar by the keeper. Another chance fell to Leeds shortly after when Kamara first, then Summerville getting to the byline saw the ball reach Piroe in the middle of the box. Sadly, there wasn’t enough power on his shot to take it past the keeper who luckily got hold of the ball. Leeds then took a deserved lead with some more great football. Gray passed to Rutter, back to Gray who immediately sent a great pass to Summerville on the wing who ran forward and sent the ball into the net in front of the ecstatic Leeds fans. This was just what the game needed, us to get a second goal to keep the pressure off. Meslier was called on to tip the ball over the crossbar to keep Blackburn out in the closing minutes of the game, with a very important save. This was another welcome win, and three points so keep them coming Leeds. I’ve finally found my new Marcelo Bielsa Christmas decorations that I had put in a safe place. With moving house, we are still upside down but I have now got my Leeds United themed Christmas tree up in readiness for my favourite time of year. I will always remember the special times Bielsa brought to Leeds United which was more than the football, and he will never be forgotten for what he did here. We face another three-game week with the forthcoming midweek game at Sunderland then back at Elland Road next Saturday against Coventry. I’ll have to make sure I’m in early as I met young Lennon today who will be a mascot by Dan James’s side, so I aim to get plenty of photos. By the time we arrived back to Leeds the storm did too as the wind increased and conditions became even worse to drive in. Luckily, I got home okay and hope everyone else did too. See you on Tuesday, LUFC – Marching on Together! please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
