It was a country mile away from the dominant Leeds United performance at Elland Road last Friday that saw the Whites take apart a handy Derby County side.
Instead it was more workmanlike by Leeds United as they replaced dominance with endeavour against a Barnsley side who came into the game as one of the division’s worst performing home sides. It was an interesting battle ahead as the Tykes put this record on the line against one of the Sky Bet Championship’s in-form sides in Leeds.
First half – a tale of early probing and a late sucker punch
There was early pressure and probing from both sides as each sought to gain a foothold in the game. Leeds were pressing forcing Barnsley back, but the Tykes caused the first bit of concern (5′) when Josh Scowen’s ball in brought about a hacked at, panicky clearance attempt from Lewie Coyle.
Leeds went straight up the other end though with neat play from Coyle putting Pablo Hernández into space down the right. The diminutive Spaniard cut in from the right and tried to loft the ball from the angle of the area over Barnsley keeper Adam Davies’ head with the Tykes’ stopper easily claiming the ball.
Barnsley were content to work the ball around and it was this ploy that brought about Barnsley’s first shot on target (11′) from James Bree with Rob Green easily claiming – the former England keeper dropping on the ball.
A quick break upfield by Leeds led to the impressive Hernández lifting the ball into the danger area, only for Barnsley defender Marc Roberts to head it out for a corner. Spaniard Hernández stepped up to take the corner, dropping the ball into Barnsley box where Chris Wood (17′) guided it into the goal with his left for his 15th of the season.
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Leeds ramped up the pressure and a succession of corners followed around the 26th minute, with the Whites again looking dangerous at set plays, but the Tykes escaped with no further addition to the scoreline.
United continued to turn the screw and used the ball to drag Barnsley around the field. But the Reds weren’t to be cowed into total submission and showed glimpses of threat themselves to remind Leeds they weren’t a spent force.
a free-kick given away by Souleymane Doukara led to a neat ball behind the Leeds defence and Adam Armstrong knocked the ball into the Leeds box, a flicked header by Tom Bradshaw (44′) being placed beyond the despairing, outstretched hand of Green in the Leeds goal.
Half-time: Barnsley 1 (Bradshaw 44′) – 1 Leeds (Wood 18′)
Second half – early pressure and early goals
Early Barnsley pressure from Barnsley saw a ball in and Ryan Kent turned Leeds right back Lewie Coyle with ease and drilled the ball left-footed across Rob Green’s goal and into bottom left corner (48′) to give the Tykes a 2-1 lead.
Barnsley continued to press and a free kick 25-yards out (54′), in a dangerous position, gave Barnsley their third goal of the night. The impressive Conor Hourihane stepped up and his left-footed shot arrowed past Green and into the top-left corner – a goal that could be his parting shot for Barnsley.
Barnsley, buoyed by the two early goals, continued to press Leeds and looked the better, more dangerous team. Their pressing play and work ethic was forcing Leeds into more hurried
A long ball upfield by Leeds saw Chris Wood in a footrace with Barnsley defender Marc Roberts who handled the ball. A penalty was given even though TV replays showed the offence to be a post code outside the Barnsley area. The fortunate penalty award was despatched by Chris Wood (68′) for his 16th of the season.
Barnsley 3v2 Leeds. Chris Wood penalty. C'mon Leeds. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/a6PMBxsgKA
— Leeds United Supporters Club (@LUSCExec) January 21, 2017
At 3-2 the game was evenly balanced and both sides began to work opportunities and look for the goal that would either level things up or put the result that little further beyond doubt. Action-wise it was all about the ball in the Leeds United final third of the field, but the Whites continued to look for the equaliser.
It was end-to-end stuff as both sides entered into a football tug-o-war, with each side creating opportunities but failing to capitalise on them. The best chance for either side came when a ball in from the right, and behind the Barnsley defence found an unmarked Kemar Roofe who couldn’t manage to turn the ball in at the far post.
Full-time: Barnsley 3 (Bradshaw 44′, Kent 48′, Hourihane 54′) – 2 Leeds (Wood 18′, 66′)
