Leeds United 3 Millwall 1: match report

Leeds United could easily have scored ten against the morning's league leaders Millwall. Instead, they had to settle for just the three, one from Lloyd Sam and two from second-half substitute Davide Somma to secure their first win of the season.  Related ArticlesSchmeichel's arrival signals new dawn at LeedsNottingham Forest 1 Leeds United 1Simon Grayson staying realistic over Leeds' revivalGrayson signs new Leeds dealTransfer TalkSport on televisionThe Londoners achieved a league double over Leeds last season in League One, but the home side were clearly determined that ignominious statistic was not repeated. To say that Simon Grayson's men utterly dominated this contest would be a gross understatement, but his side made the faithful sweat until the 77th minute when the South African struck his first to put Leeds ahead. Grayson was understandably a happy man: 'Delighted with the performance, the spirit, the effort and everything that goes towards winning a game. I thought we were very good today. In think the most pleasing thing was how we responded after going a goal behind. The players responded really well.' Visiting manager Kenny Hackett had no real complaints: 'It looked like at one stage we were going to weather the storm and even come through it. But two late goals finished us off.' Arsenal loanee Sanchez Watt stood out, impressively filling the boots of the former Elland Road marskman Jermaine Beckford. Three times in the first ten minutes he troubled the Millwall goal and it looked only a matter of time before Leeds opened the scoring. They did, but it was to be their unfortunate Leeds captain Richard Naylor who would do so, heading through his own goal in the 14th minute. This moment of affrontery only served to spur on the home side and it will remain a mystery how they managed not to wrap up the points by half-time. They should have been level in the 22nd minute but Luciano Becchio could only scoop his close-range effort over the bar. Three minutes later Jonny Howson struck the outside of the post with only the keeper to beat. In the 26th minute Watt burst into the box but his shot was smothered by Millwall keeper David Forde. Five minutes later and Leeds were deservedly level. Watt drove purposefully forward and the ball found its way to Lloyd Sam who hammered home. A Leeds lead looked certain to come as centre-back Neil Collins planted a free header narrowly wide, Sam and Watt both shot weakly, a Howson effort was finger-tipped away by the busy Forde and Watt fired wide from the edge of the box. For Millwall, referee Clive Webster's half-time whistle could not come soon enough. Leeds began the second half as they finished the first but could not prise an opening. Jackett's side battening down the hatches and, after surviving the barrage, secured a foothold. However, they rarely trouble the Leeds goal and the home side's lead was finally established when substitute David Somma fired home in the 77th minute. Leeds were back in the ascendancy and the South African wrapped up the points with an emphatic second in stoppage time.

Source: Telegraph