It all looked good before the game kicked off. It was third vs tenth, an in-form Leeds United vs a somewhat sliding home-form side in Barnsley.
The script couldn’t have been better written for Leeds United to jog down to South Yorkshire, put on a display, jog back with an easy three points. Just that someone forgot to give Barnsley their version of the script to pre-read.
Instead, Leeds United faced a Barnsley side with both bite and fight, in equal measures too. Barnsley started brightly, taking the game to Leeds but were somewhat knocked back when Chris Wood scored to put Leeds 1-0 up in the 18th minute, turning in a Pablo Hernández corner.
It was three quick goals, in the space of nine minutes spanning half-time, that saw Barnsley essentially through in the tie. First Tom Bradshaw (44′) pulled the Tykes level before a smart Ryan Kent turn and shoot (48′) and a Conor Hourihane worldie free-kick (54′) put Barnsley 3-1 up.
Leeds pulled one back when Chris Wood converted a penalty (66′) given for a handball that was closer to the centre spot than the penalty spot that brought Leeds to within a goal at 3-2.
That was as close as it got for Leeds United as they fell to their first defeat in seven games since losing 2-0 to Brighton on December 9, 2016.
As is usually the case, Leeds United fans were quick to take to Twitter to air their views on tonight’s game.
Leeds United lose 3-2 to rivals Barnsley – fan reaction on Twitter
It wasn’t a comprehensive defeat by any means, but it wasn’t a shade on the dominant display that folded Derby like a piece of origami at Elland Road just over a week ago. Battling and industrious it was, but skilful and flowing it wasn’t. Two pieces of second half brilliance washed away Leeds’ recent unbeaten form, their one consolation being that the Whites are still heavily involved in the play-off hunt – sitting in fourth as they currently are.
This sentiment is something that isn’t lost on this Leeds United fan.
A lot of moaning fan's on here after r first defeat in a long while.
Not guna win every game , Get over it! Still in playoffs! #lufc #MOT
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) January 21, 2017
It is also a sentiment that is supported by Leeds fan Richard.
#lufc lost the midfield tonight very disappointed in that result but still 4 th
— Richie mot (@richie1979) January 21, 2017
This Leeds fan, Chris, sees the bigger test of the team in how they respond to defeat, the colours that they show.
https://twitter.com/cdm1679/status/822914982014779393
Carl is another Leeds fan who picks up on the ethos that seems to be a vital part of the current Leeds United set up.
https://twitter.com/CARLR68/status/822914654301286401
Any loss is one that is potentially damaging to a side that has been on a good run and are riding high in the league table. Leeds are no exception to this rule, the real measure will be in how they respond to the manner of this defeat. The first opportunity comes on Wednesday night with the visit of Nottingham Forest to Elland Road.
It is that esprit de corps that is embodied in this tweet.
Today's just one to forget for us, don't try destroy months of hard work over a poor game, plenty of points up for grabs #lufc
— Right In The Gary Kellys (@RITGK) January 21, 2017
It’s also something that Leeds fan Tony firmly believes in.
https://twitter.com/topcatfish/status/822925783467495425
Yes there are Leeds fans slating the performance of the team on the night, singling out individuals for particular criticism, but they are in the definite minority and have been shouted down by the majority of Leeds United fans.
It was a loss, and for the first time Leeds United are in a position in the table where they can simply shrug it off and get ready to go again on Wednesday at Elland Road against Nottingham Forest.
