LUFC Leeds beat Newcastle to maintain unbeaten run

Leeds completed their pre season campaign with a 3-2 win over Newcastle United at Elland Road.

The home side took the lead three times through Patrick Kisnorbo, Lloyd Sam and a winner five minutes from time by Billy Paynter.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson was boosted by the return to the side of Andy O`Brien and Robert Snodgrass for the final pre season friendly of the summer.

O`Brien hadn`t featured yet in pre season and Snodgrass hadn`t played since the Motherwell game through injury.

Andy Lonergan started in goal ahead of Paul Rachubka and made his first senior appearance in a Leeds shirt.

Trialists Alexandre Mendy and Boldiszar Bodor were named amongst the substitutes.

There was no place in the Newcastle squad for former Leeds favourite Alan Smith.

Leeds took the lead early on when Fraser Forster dropped the ball and Patrick Kisnorbo was on hand to tap in.

The home side had started brightly, and were unlucky not to double their lead when Gradel saw his header ruled out for offside following a free kick.

Newcastle had to wait until twenty minutes in before going close. Joey Barton fired a ball across the middle and Demba Ba just failed to get on the end of it.

Gradel was causing the Newcastle defence problems and he saw a fierce shot tipped over the bar.

Newcastle equalised when Steven Taylor fired in at the far post when he found himself unmarked following a corner in the final ten minutes of the half.

The half finished with Leeds claiming for a penalty after the ball struck the arm of Steven Taylor but the referee waved away the appeals.

John Howson had the first chance of the second half when he fired just wide.

Howson went close once again when his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

From the corner, Leigh Bromby headed just wide of the target.

Leeds made three changes on the hour with Lloyd Sam, Boldiszar Bodor and Tom Lees replacing Patrick Kisnorbo, Robert Snodgrass and Ben Parker.

Ameobi had a rare chance for Newcastle but his weak shot was easy for Lonergan.

Another three changes quickly followed for Leeds with Billy Paynter, Ramon Nunez and Alexandre Mendy coming on for Ross McCormack, Adam Clayton and Max Gradel.

Leeds were soon back in the lead when Lloyd Sam nipped in to beat Forster at his near post after winning the ball out wide.

Andy Lonergan then made a great save to deny Joey Barton an almost certain equaliser from a point blank header.

Newcastle were soon on level terms when Vuckic played a one/two with Ba before firing past Lonergan.

Billy Paynter did himself the world of good when he scored his first goal of pre season, to put Leeds ahead for a third time with just five minutes remaining.

A good win for Leeds, has they now get themselves ready for their first game of the new championship season at Southampton next Saturday.

Team

Lonergan, Connolly, Kisnorbo (Lees 59), O`Brien (Bromby 46), Parker (Bodor 59), Snodgrass (Sam 59), Howson, Clayton (Nunez 66), Brown, Gradel (Mendy 66), McCormack (Paynter 66)

Subs
Rachubka, White,

Newcastle
Forster, Cabaye, Williamson, Barton, Simpson (Dummett 79), Gosling (Vuckic 65), Gutierrez (Sammy Ameobi 65), Ba, Shola Ameobi (Best 65), S. Taylor, Tavernier (R. Taylor 57)

Subs
Krul

Attendance: 20,457



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