Becchio goal enough for Leeds

Leeds made it five games unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Barnsley at Elland Road.

Luciano Becchio scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot just before half time.

Neil Warnock made one change to the side that drew at Bolton in midweek. Aidy White came back into the side with Adam Drury dropping to the bench.

There was also a welcome return to the bench for Paul Green who hasn`t played since the opening day.

Barnsley missed a great chance to take the lead inside five minutes when Jacob Mellis shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Mellis again had another good chance for the visitors but this time he could only find Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny as Barnsley dominated the opening twenty minutes.

Leeds had to wait until halfway through the first half for their first real chance. Luciano Becchio met an El Hadji Diouf cross into the middle, but the clubs leading goalscorer this season headed over.

Rodolph Austin then saw his shot saved by Ben Alnwick as Leeds eventually started to get a foothold in the game.

Barnsley were still carrying a threat and Marlon Harewood shot just wide with Kenny rooted to the spot.

Leeds were awarded a penalty with less than five minutes remaining in the half when Lee Peltier was brought down on the edge of the area. Replays showed that the foul happened outside the area.

Becchio scored his ninth goal of the season when he chipped the ball into the centre of the net.

Leeds went in at the break ahead but Barnsley would be wondering how after dominated the first half of the half.

Leeds were forced into an early change in the second half when Michael Tonge was forced off with what looked like a shoulder injury. David Norris came on for his first appearance in a month.

Austin had the first effort of the second half, with Alnwick making an easy save from the Jamaican international.

Barnsley were not carrying the same threat they had in the first half and substitute Norris saw a shot go wide for Leeds as the game passed the hour mark.

Almost immediately though, Kenny was forced into a great save to deny Harewood who really should have scored from close range.

Barnsley boss Keith Hill made his final two changes of the afternoon halfway through the second half as the visitors looked for a way back into the game.

Barnsley had a good chance deep into stoppage time but Kenny made another good save for Leeds to deny Stones.






Teams

Leeds
Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Byram, White, Tonge (Norris 54), Brown, Becchio (Gray 72), Diouf, Austin

Subs not used
Ashdown, Drury, Green, Varney, Poleon



Barnsley
Alnwick, Wiseman, Foster (Hassell 46), Goldbourne, Stones, Dawson, Perkins, Cywka (Etuhu 69), Mellis, Harewood (Dagnall 67), Davies

Subs not used
Kennedy, Steele, Done, Clarke

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