Davis denies Leeds

Kelvin Davis produced a stunning performance to deny Leeds United anything from the game in a 1-0 home defeat to Southampton.

It was Neil Warnock`s first home game in charge and the Leeds side showed all the characteristics of one of his sides with a hardworking display.

The only goal of the game came on 16 minutes when Rickie Lambert had time and space to smash his volley past Andy Lonergan.

Leeds started brightly. Robert Snodgrass had a shot blocked by the arm of Southampton defender Jose Fonte with the referee only giving a corner.

From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Clayton and his volley went straight at Kelvin Davis in the Southampton goal.

After dominating, Leeds were caught with a sucker punch. A ball into the back post was headed back across goal by Lee and Rickie Lambert smashed his volley past the helpless Andy Lonergan.

The goal didn`t deter Leeds and they remained on the front foot. Snodgrass volleyed over after a deep cross by Aidy White and minutes later Ross McCormack volleyed just wide.

Leeds best chance fell to Luciano Becchio after a good ball into the middle by McCormack. Davis making an excellent save to deny Becchio.

Snodgrass then saw his cross/shot go just wide of the post with White only having to apply a touch to equalise.

White had the last effort of the half but his shot drifted just wide of the post as Leeds somehow went in one down at half time.

The second half was once again a Leeds onslaught.

Becchio had an effort go just wide in the early minutes of the second half and the game really came to life just past the hour.

Davis denied Becchio on three occasions in one attack. Davis somehow got back on his line to make two reflect saves to deny Becchio after the forward had originally beaten Davis to the ball with a header.

Moments later, Southampton had a rare attack with Lonergan denying Lambert a second goal.

Substitute Danny Webber was making his Leeds debut and Davis thwarted him twice in a matter of minutes.

Webber had a great chance to get the sides level when former Leeds defender Frazer Richardson made a hash of a clearance but Webber fired wide under pressure from Richardson.

As the clock ran down, Lambert drew a good save from Lonergan down to his right.

It had been one of those evenings in front of goal and this was epitomised in the 87th minute.

From a McCormack corner, Snodgrass hit the bar with his header; O`Dea followed up and also saw his header come off the bar as the ball bounced around the six-yard box, Tom Lees saw his close range shot deflected wide.

As the game went into injury time, Paul Connolly had a header deflected into the arms of Davis and this proved to be the last chance for Leeds.

Somehow, Leeds came away from this game with nothing but there was enough encouragement to see that the Leeds players will be working very hard under Neil Warnock.

The defeat leaves Leeds in tenth place, six points outside the play off places.


Teams

Leeds
Lonergan, Bromby (Connolly 24), Lees, O`Dea, Pugh, Snodgrass, Clayton, Brown (Sam 73), White (Webber 56), McCormack, Becchio

Subs not used
Paynter, Nunez

Southampton
Davis, Richardson, Fonte, Hooiveldt, Fox (Harding 55), Schneiderlin, Cork, Chaplow, Puncheon (Hammond 46), Lambert, Lee (Do Prado 46)

Subs not used
Martin, Sharp

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