Happy return for Neil Redfearn as Rotherham beat Leeds
Neil Redfearn enjoyed the perfect return to Leeds as he masterminded his first win in charge of Rotherham with a battling 1-0 success.
Redfearn, sacked as manager at Elland Road at the end of last season after a turbulent but successful spell in charge, had endured a nightmare start to his Millers tenure after being named as Steve Evans' successor in October.
But his first much-needed victory came courtesy of Joe Newell's second-half header and saw Evans taste defeat against the Rotherham side he took from League Two to the Championship.
It was a fiery encounter with both sides being reduced to 10 men as Leon Best and Gaetano Berardi were involved in an off-the-ball incident.
The Elland Road crowd saluted both managers before an emotional rendition of the French national anthem, where injured Leeds skipper and Paris-born Sol Bamba laid a wreath in the centre circle in tribute of the victims of last week's terror attacks.
Given the familiarity it was perhaps no surprise that the opening 20 minutes was a non-event, with both sides cancelling each other out.
As the first half wore on, Leeds began to take control and were only denied the lead by a superb Lee Camp save in the 26th minute.
Mirco Antenucci surged into the area and squared for Alex Mowatt at the back post and his shot was heading in until Camp flung himself to the right to palm the ball away.
Leeds built up a head of steam but it was Rotherham that almost opened the scoring on the half hour.
After Jonson Clarke-Harris was hauled down on the edge of area, Richie Smallwood curled a 20-yard effort onto the post. He was then given a second chance after Antenucci was booked for encroaching only for the wall to deny a similar attempt.
The final stages of the first half reverted to stalemate, with little quality, but the hosts upped the ante after the restart.
Antenucci poked inches wide just seven seconds after the whistle while Chris Wood floated a dangerous ball in that just evaded everyone.
But it was Rotherham that provided the decisive moment in the 53rd minute when Newell planted a free header in off the post from Smallwood's pinpoint cross to send Redfearn jumping on to the pitch in delight.
It could have been even better for the Millers just after the hour as Clarke-Harris had a sight at goal when he turned his defender on the penalty spot, but Marco Silvestri got down well to keep it out.
Antenucci dragged a great chance to level wide soon after before the game flared up with just over 15 minutes remaining as Best and Berardi both saw red after an altercation.
Best was dismissed for an apparent elbow, with Berardi joining him for an early bath for his reaction, which included get feisty with the linesman.
Leeds tried to push for a leveller, throwing plenty of men forward, with Wood wasting the best chance as he headed straight at Camp.
Source: PA
