Leeds Utd Match Zone

Cooper Secures First Win Of 2018

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A solitary Liam Cooper goal against Brentford was enough to secure Leeds United their first win under new head coach Paul Heckingbottom and a first win in 2018.

Cooper headed home just past the half hour mark to score his first goal of the season and give Leeds a glimmer of hope once again in their aim to reach the play-off places.

Leeds struggled against the pace of Brentford down the visitor`s right and they created the best chances in a tight opening to the game.

Under fire goalkeeper, Felix Wiedwald produced a fantastic save to deny John Egan in the 12th minute.

Leeds had not really threatened the Brentford goal before they went ahead. A glancing header by Cooper met a free-kick from Ezgjan Alioski and he steered the ball into the far corner of the net.

The goal lifted Leeds and Pierre-Michel Lasogga had two chances in quick succession with David Bentley in the Brentford goal denying one effort and another blocked by the Brentford defence.

Like in the draw at Derby County in midweek, Leeds were generally relying on quick counter attacks and they should have made the game safe just past the hour. Lasogga dribbled round a couple of players, including the keeper, but his tame effort was cleared off the line when a better option could have been a pass to the unmarked Samu Saiz.

There was then major controversy when referee Oliver Langford pulled the ball back for a Leeds free-kick when Lasogga was clean through on goal with Alioski in support.

Brentford piled on the pressure late on and Wiedwald kept out a Alan Judge free-kick in the final minute of normal time but there was to be no denying Leeds a first win in 2018 at the tenth attempt.

Teams

Leeds United
Wiedwald, Berardi, Cooper, Jansson, Anita, Phillips, O’Kane, Saiz (Vieira 90), Dallas (Sacko 83), Lasogga (Ekuban 74), Alioski

Subs not used
Peacock-Farrell, Pennington, Denton, Cibicki

Brentford
Bentley, Dalsgaard, Bjelland, Egan, Barbet, Mokotjo (Marcondes 69), Sawyers (Judge 69), Watkins (Canos 59), Woods, Jozefzoon, Maupay

Subs not used
Daniels, McEachran, Clarke, Mepham
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