Leeds 1-2 Charlton: Match Report

30 April 2016 16:34

Leeds beaten by relegated Charlton

Already relegated to League One, Charlton completed a defiant 2-1 win at Leeds.

Goals either side of half-time by Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Ademola Lookman exposed Leeds' defensive frailty and did little to improve head coach Steve Evans' prospects of landing a new contract from owner Massimo Cellino.

Leeds captain Sol Bamba headed his side's only goal in the 71st minute as the Elland Road side's four-match unbeaten run came to an end, meaning Charlton still have not lost at Elland Road since October 2000.

Leeds, making their final home appearance of the season, lived dangerously when Liam Bridcutt brought down Lookman just outside the penalty box in the seventh minute and Lookman shot just outside the left upright.

Charlton have one of the worst defensive records in the Championship and they almost gifted Leeds a goal when Jorge Teixeira gave the ball away to Jordan Botaka and Stuart Dallas was not far wide with a low drive.

With both teams packing the midfield there were long spells of stalemate as Leeds struggled to create clear-cut chances. Most of the home side's first-half efforts were from long range and when Bridcutt managed to find him just beyond the far post, Chris Wood could not direct his header on target.

The Addicks caught Leeds out in the 39th minute with a swift move down the left which ended with Gudmundsson sweeping home Morgan Fox's accurate cross.

Leeds finished the first half strongly, with goalkeeper Nick Pope having to rush outside his area to head the ball clear under pressure from Wood, but Charlton doubled their advantage four minutes after the interval.

Lookman was allowed to cut in from the left unchallenged and he took full advantage with an 18-yard shot past the unprotected Marco Silvestri.

Leeds immediately replaced Dallas with Alex Mowatt, who was back after serving a three-match suspension, and they very nearly halved the deficit in the 56th minute when Wood headed against the bar from Charlie Taylor's cross and Bamba fired the rebound into the side netting.

Mowatt created an opportunity for Botaka eight yards out but his effort was turned behind for a corner, much to the winger's frustration.

Leeds released striker Mirco Antenucci from the bench, withdrawing midfielder Bridcutt, and they gave themselves hope in the 71st minute when Bamba climbed above everyone else to send a powerful close-range header past Pope from Taylor's excellent left-wing delivery.

Charlton were thankful for desperate saves by Pope, who turned Antenucci's angled shot round a post and then came out to foil Wood who had burst through the centre of the defence.

Simon Makienok Christoffersen and El-Hadji Ba made late substitute appearances, helping the Addicks to cling on for victory.


Source: PA