Leeds United started this game in 13th place in the Championship table, seven places and nine points behind the team they were facing in Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town, a team sat in the last play-off place.
Steve Evans had said that a late call would be made in regards to the fitness of leading scorer and New Zealand captain Chris Wood. This late call was made, Wood being ruled out of the game and Evans deciding that it was to be a 4-5-1 for the night – Souleymane Doukara being the preferred lone front man.
Cue the moaning from Leeds fans across social media when the team news was announced and Doukara was put up front. The memories of a virtuoso cameo from the bench against Wolves, where Doukara changed the game, were wiped away in an abject performance as the lone striker against MK Dons.Doukara can’t play up front alone. He’s not disciplined enough to stay up front, he drifts out too wide. All the excuses were there.
Then this happened.
https://twitter.com/WALMOT3/status/687000448780398593
12 seconds some say, 11 others – whatever way you look at it it was definitely rapid. A lump upfield from a Leeds United opening kick-off, a defensive header across the back four from Ipswich, Jonathan Douglas mis-controls the ball, Doukara takes it off his toes and strokes it calmly in from the edge of the area. 1-0, a matter of seconds.
The wave of anti-Doukara sentiment washed away with a lightning strike in the mere flicker of an eye. Twitter went into a conniption of happiness at the fact that Leeds were leading in a game, so early too.
Doukara in 12, maybe 11 – Twitter froths and reacts
GOAL: Town behind within the first 60 seconds as Doukara finds the net. I wasn't in my seat so no idea what happened, sorry #itfc
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) January 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/darlobobby/status/687006644941774848
I'll be honest, wasn't expecting us to score that quick, never mind Doukara scoring #lufc
— Toby Gray (@toby2leeds) January 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/LucasLUFC_/status/687003952618041345
https://twitter.com/Tom_robinson_89/status/687003238613258240
Same when he was brought on against wolves. Eat some Doukara humble pie you naysayers #lufc
— AMac (@Clocky001) January 12, 2016
Why didn't doukara win #BallondOr? #lufc #mot
— Crethy B (@CrethyB) January 12, 2016
Slated Doukara earlier and he scores within 13 seconds.. #LUFC 😂😂😂
— Cole McLean (@ColeMcDirty) January 12, 2016
Mick McCarthy be like…