Leeds Vs Bournemouth

Championship strugglers Leeds United gained a precious three points with a narrow 1-0 victory against Championship leaders Bournemouth, who also saw a late Yann Kermorgant penalty hit the bar.

Leeds came into the game on the back of two successive draws. The hosts made some changes to their starting line up. Most notably Mirko Antenucci could only find a place on the bench against The Cherries, highly rated Alex Mowatt started for Leeds United in this one. The Whites came into the game in dire need of a result after a disappointing run of results which has seen the Yorkshire side winless in eight games.

As for visitors Bournemouth who lead the way in the championship they were pretty much at full strength. Bret Pittman and Callum Wilson started for the visitors who came into this one looking to maintain their lead at the top of the championship and had won six of their last seven.

Leeds who have been struggling in the championship, started the brighter in this one – and deservedly went ahead before the break. Luke Murphy who scored in Saturday’s draw against Birmingham, also scored in this game with a 25 yard effort which left Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc with no chance, to claim his second goal in two games.

Bournemouth were finding it difficult to come to terms with the difficult snowy conditions and were struggling to exert the authority that they usually do in matches. The visitors thought they had equalised a few minutes after going a goal down minutes only for the linesman’s flag to rule the goal out for offside.

Not even the introductions of Dan Gosling and Yann Kermorgant could help Bournemouth in salvaging a precious point. It was actually the subs who conspired to not get on the end of a brilliant Callum Wilson cross after a break down in communication.

Bournemouth did get a lifeline late on when Giuseppe Bellusci brought down Cherries striker Callum Wilson, which lead to Leeds defender Bellusci receiving a red card and an award of a Bournemouth penalty kick. Leeds however though were given a reprieve as Bournemouth’s Yann Kermorgant could only strike his penalty against the bar.

Leeds managed to hang on with 10 men and pull six points clear of relegation after this priceless win. For Bournemouth this defeat hasn’t changed their league position, they remain top of the league – but with Middlesborough beating Cardiff Middlesborough night the gap between the top three is extremely tight with one point and goal difference separating the top three.