The game was one of those genuine mid-table six-pointers where three points for either side would propel the winners into the top half and closer towards the vaunted last play-off place. On the day it ended 1-0 with Leeds taking all the spoils in what was a scrappy encounter.
The game itself hinged around the 31st minute dismissal of Preston keeper Jordan Pickford for an alleged hand-ball outside the area as Chris Wood bore down on goal. Reduced to 10 men, the Lancastrian visitors to Elland Road were forced into removing John Welsh and bringing on 17-year old reserve keeper Matt Hudson for a veritable baptism of fire at Elland Road. The youngster would be tasked with keeping out a rampant Leeds United attack, buoyed by the extra man, for likely a whole hour.
Hudson managed to keep out Leeds until half time as, despite increased United pressure, both sides went in level at 0-0. However, the calming half-time period was quashed moments into the second half as Leeds United took the lead thanks to an unfortunate Preston North End own goal. The impressive Stuart Dallas broke down the left and his dangerous cross was headed past the unfortunate Matt Hudson by PNE defender Alan Browne to give Leeds a 1-0 lead.
Leeds continued to push for a wider and more comfortable cushion with Charlie Taylor (50′) going close with a free kick and recalled Luke Murphy (54′) who dragged a low effort wide to the left from the edge of the area after cutting inside. The crowd of 22,641 (894 Preston contingent) saw the first Leeds United substitution (64′) as midweek hero Souleymane Doukara replaced recalled Luke Murphy for the Whites.
Preston weren’t out of it, far from it, with former-Leeds United midfielder Neil Kilkenny forcing a smart save from Marco Silvestri from his smart strike on the turn inside the Leeds area. Preston continued to push and Italian defender Giuseppe Bellusci was forced to block Paul Gallagher’s long-range strike (72′) as 10-man Preston pushed for an equaliser. Further, sustained pressure from Preston forced Silvestri into another save as he was forced to tip Kilkenny’s long-range strike over the bar.
As the game ground on, there was a rash of yellow cards from both sides with Sam Byram for Leeds (77′) being the first in the book, followed a minute later by Preson’s Tom Clarke and Adam Reach (80′) following his teammate into the referee’s notebook. Still Preston pressed forward and it took another couple of smart saves from the impressive Marco Silvestri to deny Preston’s Vermijl (83′) and Will Keane (86′) and these proved to be instrumental as Leeds ran out 1-0 winners.
Leeds vs Preston – fans of the Lilywhites react on Twitter
Very average side Leeds, we will stay up at a canter #pnefc
— Frank Jamieson (@frankfuntime74) December 20, 2015
Absolute robbery for #Pnefc Leeds United are worse than a former shadow of themselves. Even if Pickford handled it. It shouldn't be a red
— David Whittle (@DWhittle17) December 20, 2015
We might have lost today but no way will Leeds finish in Top Half we have got enough to stay up and few players in Jan wil be ok #pnefc
— Tom (@Tom_H1992) December 20, 2015
#Pnefc get the fraud squad pc Elliot we've been robbed by Leeds
— falcyj (@pnejan) December 20, 2015
Congratulations to Leeds who shithoused a 1-0 win against a 10 man Preston side with a 17 year old goalkeeper #pnefc
— louis (@louishall_) December 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/henry_king9/status/678620591780417536
