please log in to view this image The good thing about keeping busy is that I haven’t had much time to worry too much about football. The bad news was the realisation that we had dropped into the bottom three of the division meaning that our destiny was no longer in our own hands. It was good to see my friend Carole and I in Fever Pitch: Battle of the Premier League on Paramount+ that was released on 7th May, with Leeds United in Episode One. I thought the programme was done very well and it focussed on the money and financial difficulties it brought into the game. Interestingly Vinnie Jones was in the first series and I’ll be going to see him in Selby tomorrow. Team: Robles, Ayling, Koch, Firpo, Kristensen, McKennie, Bamford, Rodrigo, Harrison, Greenwood, Wöber. Subs: Forshaw for Greenwood (45), Gnonto for Harrison (64), Aaronson for Rodrigo (87), Struijk for Bamford (90). Subs not used: Meslier, Gray, Roca, Rutter, Summerville. Leeds drew 2-2 with Ayling (7) and Kristensen (79) scoring the goals. Attendance: 36,955 with approx. 3,000 Newcastle fans. Referee: Simon Hooper. Booked: Firpo, Gnonto, Robles, Bamford. Sent off: Firpo. I said we needed nine points out of nine, but it would be typical for everyone around us to do the same. It may have been wishful thinking, but we got off to a fantastic start when Bamford’s cross was met by Rodrigo only to see his header parried by the keeper. Ayling was the first to the ball hitting it into the net to give us an early lead as Elland Road erupted. Newcastle were seeing plenty of the ball but the Leeds defence were standing firm. When a fantastic run by Firpo saw him upended in the penalty area it was a cast iron decision for me as the referee pointed to the spot. Just as I was wondering who would take it, I saw that Bamford had stepped forward but sadly their keeper saved it and he was unlucky not to get to the rebound. That would turn out to be a costly miss as Newcastle were awarded a penalty shortly afterwards and duly scored from it despite Robles going the right way. Instead of the chance to go two up the teams went in level at half time. Lots of fans around me wondered why Rodrigo didn’t take the penalty but I assumed it was because Bamford is the designated penalty taker, as apparently Allardyce told him to take it according to some other fans. The second half saw Forshaw come on to replace Greenwood as Leeds continued to attack looking for a second goal. Newcastle were also doing plenty of attacking but it was nice to see one of their players get booked for diving. After they had another attack, it was a shock to see that VAR were looking for a possible penalty for handball against Firpo. What was even worse was the fact that we were fouled once again in the run up to a penalty/goal decision which was ignored by the referee. With Gnonto and Robles booked and despite Robles trying to put off their player, it didn’t succeed as they sent the ball down the middle of the goal to go into the lead. That was gutting, to know they had only gone into the lead by being given two penalties on the day. After a period of Newcastle attacking, Leeds started to get the upper hand again and a cross from Gnonto was cleared by Newcastle to the edge of the box only to see Kristensen get on the end of it to send a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal to equalise. That was such a relief to know we still stood a chance of getting something out of the game. As the end of the game neared and injury time loomed, my stomach started churning as I was desperate for us to not concede another goal. Leeds continued to fight, and Bamford battled against a few of their players winning the ball before being brought down. At one point I thought they were going to be given a third penalty but instead were given a free kick outside the area, but we also saw Firpo given a second booking which meant he was sent off. Struijk replaced Bamford as Leeds were determined to grind out the draw to get a point. It was interesting to see Harrison and the other players not sitting in the dug out but at the edge of the stand as they were watching the game out too. Just before the end there was a skirmish by the dug outs and a fan was led away by security. I’ve no idea why he did it, but he’s received a life ban from the club for it. It is looking like everything will go to the last game but after Forest drawing today, plus Leicester and Everton still to play, we are still in the bottom three. Southampton were relegated today but with only two games left for us to play, time is running out. With our last game of the season on 28th May, that in itself is a date I will never forget as in 1975 WACCOE was born. I only hope it is a better date for us this year. Whatever happens, we have no control over what the final outcome will be but the positives from today are that we didn’t get beat and put up a battling performance playing more like a team. See you at West Ham, 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
At least understand Sam we go into last two games with chance of getting something from them. Whether enough remains to be seen.
Heart in mouth moment after Robles (who had just been booked) messing around trying to put Wilson off. Really thought he was going for an early bath.
I know what you mean. I don't think we've seen this side of him as I always thought of him as being quiet lol!
