Leeds United 2 – Queens Park Rangers 0 – HT 1-0
J. Bogle (19′),
J. Piroe (90’+5)
Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,011
Last game before the international break, it will be great to go in with a victory, so where be on high when the players come back.
Leeds regained the winning habit against Queens Park Rangers to move second in the table with a hard-fought three points.
A first defeat in nine against Millwall last Wednesday had put a dent in Leeds promotion charge.
But against struggling QPR, Jayden Bogle’s first-half strike and a second from Joel Piroe in stoppage time proved enough for Daniel Farke’s side to put themselves on the shoulder of leaders Sunderland.
QPR fought hard in the face of relentless pressure from a dominant Leeds, who created a host of chances but struggled to convert until Piroe’s late nerve-settler.
Despite all their effort, defeat and results elsewhere left the west London club bottom of the table, two points adrift of Portsmouth and five from safety.
Leeds had chances to double or even triple their lead after Bogle‘s opener but had to settle for being one up at the break, the defender’s 19th minute strike in off the underside of the bar concluding some penalty area pinball.
Brenden Aaronson, Ao Tanaka were guilty of missing good opportunities but Solomon had the ball in the net after converting Byram’s cross only for the linesman’s flag to rule the latter offside in the build-up,
Even though the statistics at half-time painted an accurate picture of a QPR side under the pump, with Leeds having 10 shots to their one and nearly 70% of possession, the visitors might have gone in level had Jimmy Dunne kept a header down from a set-piece on 36 minutes.
After the break it was more of the same with the hard-working visitors continuing to frustrate their hosts.
Joe Rodon had a header blocked on 56 minutes and then Solomon was denied by a brave piece of goalkeeping from Paul Nardi, who was off his line quickly and took the shot in the face.
As the half wore on Leeds inability to put the game to bed started to fray some nerves around Elland Road, Zan Celar having an effort blocked and Sam Field firing just over from a central position.
Pascal Struijk missed a golden chance by firing wide and Wilfried Gnonto, Bogle and Piroe all had sights of goal but could not find the net.
Deep into added time, though, Piroe finally managed to dance his way through a crowded box and beat Nardi from a tight angle.
An important win after the defeat in the last game, but as I’ve mentioned, you must win your home matches.
Hopefully the international players will come back with no injuries and we can have a good build up to Christmas.
Marching On Together.
League position 2nd after 15 games – After 15 games last season, Leeds were 3rd.
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