Leeds complete the comeback at gusty Yeovil

Leeds United fought back against the weather and recovered from going a goal down to beat Yeovil 2-1.

Strong winds dictated the fixture, making it difficult for both sides as the ball forked in random directions when flighted through the air with any pace.

Leeds captain Ross McCormack celebrating his goal with Matt Smith.
                                                                             Picture from http://www.bbc.co.uk

Leeds were chasing the game after Ishmael Miller thrust Yeovil ahead with a fine header after 32 minutes in Somerset. The same player then failed to double the home side's lead, missing a penalty conceded by Sam Byram just before half time.

United Captain Ross McCormack, who scored a hat-trick in Leeds' 5-1 derby win over Huddersfield last week, levelled for Leeds with a beautifully curled shot from 22-yards out - only a minute after the restart.

Whites' left-back Stephen Warnock stunned Yeovil with his 40-yard free-kick on 62 minutes played, putting Leeds 2-1 ahead. The long-ranged effort was picked up by the wind as the ball sailed through the air and looped over static keeper Marek Stech. 

"What we want to avoid now is drama off the pitch. On the pitch we want drama but if we can avoid that for the last 17 games I'll be very happy." said Leeds manager Brian McDermott after the game.

Under pressure: Leeds manager Brian McDermott.
                                                         Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

A poor first half performance played in equally poor conditions in Somerset suggested that McDermott - who is already under considerable pressure following the botched attempted sacking of him last week by prospective owner Massimo Cellino - had his work cut out for him at half-time. 

But whatever the Leeds boss said in the dressing room during the interval definitely worked, as did his tactical change to 4-4-2.

The manager introduced the big handful that is Matt Smith, who returned after serving his three-match-ban for a harsh red card that he received during United's 6-0 thrashing at Hillsborough almost a month ago.

As the second half ticked on so too did the chances for Leeds. Ross McCormack, Rudolph Austin and Jimmy Kebé all had decent chances - the latter blasting the ball into the car-park with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Accuracy is an area that Leeds need to address if they are to pose a serious play-off challenge this season. They totalled 20 shots but only managed to get five on target - a 25% shot accuracy on the day.

Yeovil's chances dried up considerably in contrast as the game went on. The home side struggled as they played against the same wind that held United back in the first half.

The campaign so far

Leeds United's first game of the season was a breath of fresh air after a mixed pre-season for the club. Elland Road hosted last season's play off semi-finalists Brighton and it was an electric affair.

Brighton took the lead after just 13 minutes in the Yorkshire stadium through Leonardo Ulloa before Ross McCormack levelled five minutes later in front of a packed crowd. The atmosphere remained tense as the game continued goalless before new signing Luke Murphy set Elland Road alight when he sealed victory for the Whites after four minutes of injury time. The victory looked to be a turning point for Leeds after a tough ten years out of the top flight of English football and the good results kept on coming. 

Dominic Poleon (left) and Ross McCormack (right) celebrating a goal.
                                                           Picture from http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

A draw away at the King Power stadium is never an easy feat with Leicester manager Nigel Pearson manning the helm and making it very difficult for travelling teams. However, Leeds managed to hold the Foxes to a 0-0 stalemate and in doing so earned themselves a valuable point. Sheffield Wednesday were the next side to visit Elland Road and despite a difficult Yorkshire derby, the Whites secured a point after a highly-charged match.

As August drew to a close Leeds' next fixture was away at Portman road to face Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town and with Leeds under pressure to continue their undefeated start to the campaign, they did not disappoint. Luke Varney cancelled out David McGoldrick's goal before the ever present Ross McCormack rounded off his performance with the winner early in the second half to finish the game 2-1. Leeds welcomed the championship leaders to Elland Road on the back of a fantastic start to the season but couldn't hold off the Hoops' onslaught and the home side found themselves 1-0 down at full-time to Harry Redknapp's team. After another good victory against Bolton away, Leeds lost their next three matches; at home to Reading and Millwall and away to Burnley.

After the mid September slip Leeds reignited the good form they had shown early on in the season by beating Bournemouth 2-1 at home but October looked to be another hit and miss month after Leeds won at home in emphatic style 4-0 against a poor Birmingham City side and lost away to both Derby County and Huddersfield Town.