Leeds United showed up on Saturday fired up and raring to go, taking all three points and matching that with three goals, firmly putting the Lions back in their Den. Despite pundits in the build up revelling in a poor history against Millwall and Leeds not winning for the past six meet ups, Leeds United were determined to show their metal in a notoriously aggressive and intimidating atmosphere.
Millwall thought they had scored the first goal of the match, but a blatant foul on goalkeeper Meslier by Bradshaw a pure rib blocker, and the fact that Struijk also had it covered and cleared off the line, meant this was just pure speculation for the home side. With Millwall fans baying for blood, Leeds United held their nerve and a spectacular counterattack with Georginio Rutter playing through the middle, passing to Gnonto on the wing, back to Rutter and back to Joël Piroe, who rolled it neatly into the back of the net. Deadlock broken at 15 minutes, time to quieten down the little Lion cubs.
Nearly on the scoresheet a short time later was Summerville who took a long ball from Ayling, beating two defenders, nodding to his own pass and shooting up and over the goalkeeper, only for him to see it just drop over the far post. But it wasn’t far off, and Leeds United looked lively, creative and unfazed by the Millwall fans who were singing less than friendly melodies at our boys.
As the second half ensued and substitutes were made, little Willy was replaced by Anthony, maybe because he had procured a yellow card or maybe just to save the lad from getting more lumps kicked out him, Gnonto was certainly battered and bruised by Millwall who poked, hacked and body slammed him at every opportunity they had, 13 fouls in total committed by the Lions with no bookings, and while the Leeds United fans are very familiar with referee Kavanagh’s history, it still irks that Millwall can still get away with their boring and predictable tactics.
But Leeds United kept their heads amongst the bedlam and as Millwall came out in the second half like a pack of starving hounds only for Leeds to launch a fantastic counterattack from their own penalty box. Struijk through to Anthony, to Ampadu, Dan James accelerating through to Georginio who cleanly puts the ball across the box. In a split second, Leeds United fans simultaneously cursed and celebrated as James scuffed the ball, only for Piroe to tidy up the mess and tap it for his second goal of the game, basking in celebrations in front of the Leeds United fans. The opposition were now subdued both on and off the pitch and Leeds United fans in the ground, and all over the world watching the match, danced in jubilation as we dared to believe this could be ours for the taking. In seven sweet clean passes, we were making new history, doubling the advantage.
Against the run of play of a Millwall corner, Ayling took full advantage to clear the ball for yet another counterattack to James, who raced after the ball on the wing, passing a beautiful through ball to Rutter who powered the ball into the back of the net, scoring the goal his performance deserved. Georginio undoubtedly exhilarated with confidence as he roared to the sound of the Leeds United fans. Again, in three faultless passes Leeds United on the counterattack were undeniably taking this win back to Yorkshire!
A late penalty claim by Anthony who was clipped in the penalty box, but as our old friend Kavanagh decided to play the advantage, he decided to stick to his usual routine and not bother giving Leeds United any decision, favouritism, fair play or sportsmanship.
Meslier made some cracking saves fired at him by Longman and Bradshaw and it was good to see his confidence also growing again, his communication clearly improving with his back four in defence, and another clean sheet under his belt, which as we know will make all the difference towards the end of what looks like a brutal season ahead.
A solid defensive display, a creative, yet pragmatic midfield and an exhilarating, invigorated injection of new and old players showed the Championship that Leeds United are not just here to make up the numbers. We are here to play some sexy football, and our statistics show the proof is in the pudding. With a total pass rate of 365 and 280 of them being accurate passes and a pass completion of 76.7%, Leeds United are showing a fearlessness and tenacity that is surely worthy of a Premiership campaign.
