Speaking beforehand, Marsch’s Barnsley counterpart Michael Duff spoke about this Yorkshire derby representing a ‘free hit’ for his Reds side, delivering an early season slam and reality check against Wycombe Wanderers. at the weekend when Leeds surfed the crest of a wave against Chelsea.
Duff added the proviso that you only enjoy nights like Wednesdays if you compete and perform well, while sensibly not going public when predicting an impact. Even posting some surprise results in this competition so far.
The start and finish of the first half provided some enjoyment from their perspective as Barnsley showed no lack of confidence and took the game to Leeds and were undeterred.
Barnsley’s Callum Styles misses his penalty against Leeds United. Image: Bruce Rollinson.
Barnsley’s Callum Styles misses his penalty against Leeds United. Image: Bruce Rollinson.The moment in the middle of the first 45 minutes was probably what most observers were expecting in advance against a Leeds side who are showing signs of regaining their mojo this term and a key moment in the context of the game before the rest did the second. Harder half charge for Barnsley.
Having bounced back into the game after going down 2-0 by virtue of Mads Andersen’s beautiful muffled header, Barnsley blew the kind of opportunity from the spot that no away team in their place can afford at Elland Road.
Callum Styles took responsibility. His drive didn’t look convincing and his low shot didn’t look convincing as he hit Illian Meslier’s left post.
The goal he suspected would solve the problem would come nine minutes after the break when Mateusz Klich, who had coolly converted a first-half penalty to double Leeds’ lead just after half an hour, fired a lethal shot on goal in the second half. higher. corner after the ball fell to him inside the 18-yard box.
Leeds United’s Luis Sinisterra, pictured after opening the scoring against Barnsley. Image: Bruce Rollinson.
Leeds United’s Luis Sinisterra, pictured after opening the scoring against Barnsley. Image: Bruce Rollinson.But the name on the lips of United supporters in front of a huge crowd of 35,472, surpassing last season’s second round attendance of 34,154 against Crewe Alexandra, was Luis Sinisterra.
Leeds shelled out £21m to bring the Colombia international to Elland Road, with a hamstring injury during the club’s tour of Australia meaning his full debut only came on Wednesday.
His first goal, when he cut inside and fired home with a delightful left-footed shot to open the scoring, was eye-catching and an arrival statement and reeked of the kind of quality that only big money can buy.
His express speed then came to the fore and proved too much for the outmatched Conor McCarthy, with referee John Brooks, in perfect position, judging his desperate last minute challenge on Sinisterra worthy of a penalty, which Klich duly converted. .
Andersen’s goal from Benson’s free kick and Barnsley’s own penalty when Styles was pushed in by Adam Forshaw made it interesting. Too interesting from a Leeds point of view. They did not panic.
The second half was easier, with the main animation when Liam Kitching, Cody Drameh and Leo Hjelde were booked for a setback near the touchline.
After a slow start to the game, United soon found their wings in the first half and began to cause considerable damage.
Crysencio Summerville, making his first start at Elland Road alongside Hjelde and Sam Greenwood, caused an upset.
But the scenario was of another who was given his home bow in Sinisterra.
The forward tricked Styles into the opening goal and won the penalty through a fast pace and also played a role in the deciding third.
Joe Gelhardt caused a losing cause and picked McCarthy’s pocket. Sinisterra took advantage of the play and the ball was half cleared to Klich, who did the rest.
That was pretty much what with Leeds finally allowed for a comfortable enough cup progression that hasn’t exactly been their custom in recent seasons despite some painful cup days and nights.
Certainly under Bielsa. But that has the makings of a new era and Leeds are owed a cup run.
For Barnsley, bigger league tests now come against Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth. They did things the right way Wednesday night and can at least take an element of confidence from this game’s performance.
But things certainly won’t happen overnight, as Duff has consistently said since arriving at the club.
Leeds United: Messier; Drameh, Llorente (Koch 45), Cooper (Struijk 45), Hjelde; Forshaw, Greenwood (Santiago 75); Summerville, Klich, Sinisterra (Rocha 62); Gelhardt (Rodrigo 75). Unused substitutes: Robles, Aaronson, Harrison, Kristensen.
Barnsley: Walton; McCarthy, Andersen, Kitching; Helliwell (Williams 63), Benson (Connell 79), Styles, Oduor (Wolfe 63); Thomas (Hondemarck 80); Cole, Norwood (Tedic 63): Unused Subs: Collins, Marsh, Cundy, Aitchison.
Referee: J Brooks (Leics).
Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk