First Half Report Coca Cola Championship: Leeds United vs. Cardiff City
Venue: Elland Road
Score line: (0-1, J. Bothroyd 22’)
Starting XI Leeds United: K. Schmeichel, P. Connolly, A. Bruce, N. Collins, G. McCartney, J. Howson, A. Faye, R. Snodgrass, B. Johnson, D. Somma, and L. Becchio.
Subs: L. Bromby, A. Hughes, J. Brown, R. Núñez, N. Kilkenny, M. Gradel, A. Clayton.
Starting XI Cardiff City: T. Heaton, K. McNaughton, G. Gyepes, M. Hudson, L. Naylor, P. Whittingham, S. Olofinjana, C. Burke, C. Bellamy, M. Chopra, and Bothroyd.
Subs: S. McPhail, J. Koumas, G. Rae, D. Marshall, D. Blake, A. Keogh, A. Wildig.
Without a doubt, this was the most awaited match of the Championship. Cardiff City scored the first and only goal of the first half at Elland Road.
The visitors were the better side for most of the first half. Nonetheless, the home team did just enough to hold on to only one goal and did have their share of chances, but Leeds United’s killer instinct was missing in front of the goal.
In the starting minutes of the match, the home side dominated the game, they looked comfortable on the ball and they also created a few chance. After the 10 minute mark, Cardiff’s defender, headed the ball inside the penalty box, which was easily controlled
by his team mate Johnson on the right side, but Johnsons try went far from the goal.
But, just after, Cardiff City did look to be the team making all the moves. The duo of Craig Bellamy and Bothroyd was once again back together. And it did not take long for Cardiff City to get their first chance.
Indeed, Cardiff City, who are currently on the second position in the Championship table, scored on their first chance. Bothroyd opened the scoring for the visiting side in the twenty second minute of the first half. It was all about a horrendous mix up
between the goalkeeper and defender of the hosting side, as they left a long punt for each other on the edge of the box. Neither of them got the ball under control which allowed Bothroyd to sneak in and slot into an empty net.
Right after the first goal, the visitors started to dominate the game. Cardiff City started to create more chances and it looked like they wanted to score more goals.
The mouth-watering fixture of the Championship got intense, there were tackles flying around the pitch. Most notably, Cardiff City’s goal scorer of this match, Bothroyd horrendously tackled Becchio, which looked like a leg-breaker. Luckily, Leeds United
man didn’t get any sort of injury.
The first half ended in favour of visiting side, which also looked the better team.
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