Battling Leeds United crash out at Newcastle

Leeds United were unable to repeat last season’s heroics as they crashed out of the Capital One Cup at the third round stage at Newcastle.
Leeds United's Ross McCormack, who hit the crossbar at NewcastleLeeds United's Ross McCormack, who hit the crossbar at Newcastle
Leeds United's Ross McCormack, who hit the crossbar at Newcastle

A huge turn out of almost 6,000 travelling Leeds fans left St James’s Park disappointed as their side matched their Premier League opponents for long spells, but were taught a lesson in finishing.

Hopes were high on and off the pitch early on with the Whites going forward and getting in the first serious effort, but their first piece of bad luck saw Ross McCormack’s chip hit the woodwork on five minutes.

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Both sides then had chances with Papiss Cisse squandering two for the hosts and Matt Smith clearing Fabrizio Coloccini’s header. At the other end

McCormack’s cross was met by Smith only for his effort to be well saved by keeper Tim Krul.

But it was Newcastle who went ahead on 31 minutes when Cisse found the net with a header from Sammy Ameobi’s cross.

It stayed 1-0 to half-time although Leeds came close to an equaliser as Smith, given a starting slot after his impressive substitute appearance last Saturday, knocked the ball down for McCormack, but the striker’s shot flashed just wide.

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In the second half Leeds were still giving as good as they got without being able to find the target. Smith managed to get in two headers, one comfortably saved by Krul and the other off target.

Manager Brian McDermott put on El Hadji Diouf and Aidan White for Dominic Poleon and Michael Tonge, but before they could settle the Whites had let in a second goal.

Ameobi found Yoan Gouffran, who turned well before firing in a shot that gave Paddy Kenny no chance and effectively sealed Newcastle’s place in the fourth round.

Leeds looked to reply with Stephen Warnock forcing another save from Krul. However, they ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes and it was comfortable in the end for the hosts, who could have increased their lead when sub Gabriel Obertan was twice denied by Kenny.

Newcastle United 2

(Cisse 31, Gouffran 67)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Capital One Cup, round three

Att: 36,220

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Newcastle: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Anita (Gosling 80), Tiote, Marveaux, Gouffran (Vuckic 85), Sammy Ameobi, Cisse (Obertan 71).

Leeds: Kenny; Byram, Wootton, Pearce, Warnock; Tonge (White 64), Austin, Mowatt; McCormack, Poleon (Diouf 64), Smith.

Referee: M Jones.

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