Carayol earns point for Leeds United at Brentford

Mustapha Carayol's second goal in five games since arriving on loan saved Leeds United from a third successive away defeat as they drew 1-1 away at Brentford.
Mustapha Carayol celebrates his goal for Leeds United against Brentford with Lewis Cook. Picture: Bruce RollinsonMustapha Carayol celebrates his goal for Leeds United against Brentford with Lewis Cook. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Mustapha Carayol celebrates his goal for Leeds United against Brentford with Lewis Cook. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Steve Evans’ men trailed from the 28th minute after Sam Saunders fired the Bees ahead, but were rewarded for an improved second half showing when Carayol, on as a late substitute, struck an equaliser.

There was disappointment for Leeds, however, as they lost striker Chris Wood to a hamstring injury that looks likely to keep him out of action for a while again after he has only just come back from a previous knock.

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Wood was back in the starting line-up for the first time in 2016, but only lasted 19 minutes.

Leeds boss Steve Evans changed formation to accommodate the return of his top scorer with Wood initially partnering Souleymane Doukara up front in a 4-4-2 line-up.

Another change saw Lewis Cook playing on the left in place of Mustapha Carayol while new signing Toumani Diagouraga was on the bench on his quick return to the ground after joining United yesterday.

Wood and Doukara almost combined well early on, but neither side created a clear chance before Mirco Antenucci was brought on to replace Wood.

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It remained tight until Brentford came up with an opening goal on 28 minutes when Saunders took advantage of a loose pass by Liam Bridcutt to race forward and with defenders backing off he fired a shot past Marco Silvestri.

Leeds came close to equalising as Antenucci’s 25-yard shot was well saved by home keeper David Button.

But it was Brentford who looked more like scoring again when wide man Alan Judge curled a shot just over the bar.

Lasse Vibe hit a free-kick over from just outside the box and it remained 1-0 to half-time.

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United did have a big shout for a penalty waved away just before the break as Antenucci went down in the box under a challenge from Harlee Dean.

Antenucci was lively again early in the second half after being found in the box by Cook, but Button was out fast to save at his feet and blocked the follow-up effort by Stuart Dallas.

At the other end, Judge brought a save out of Silvestri with a shot from the edge of the area

Doukara tried his luck with a long range effort, but sent the ball just wide before it was time to bring new boy Diagouraga on for Luke Murphy.

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Silvestri was called into action again to keep Leeds in the game, saving at the near post from a Vibe shot.

But United carried more threat in attack in this half and Liam Cooper headed over from a corner.

They kept going and were rewarded six minutes from time when Carayol, who had come on as substitute for Dallas, beat Button with a first time shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Both sides then pushed for a winner, but it ended with honours even and a fair result on the night.

Brentford 1

(Saunders 28)

(Carayol 84)

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Sky Bet Championship

Attendance: 10,051

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Brentford: Button, Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell, McEachran, Woods, Saunders (Gogia 64), Swift (Yennaris 88), Judge, Vibe (Djuricin 64).

Leeds: Silvestri, Wootton, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor, Dallas (Carayol 76), Bridcutt, Murphy (Diagouraga 60), Cook, Wood (Antenucci 19), Doukara.

Referee: Iain Williamson.