Leeds United 0: 3 Man United

LEEDS UNITED

0 : 3

MANCHESTER UNITED

As many people who read this Blog will be already aware, I married a Leeds fan, and another piece of luck that we had with this trip back home was Leeds drawing Man Utd. in the League Cup while we were around.  As Leeds had already (with their share of luck) seen to it that Doncaster would not be playing on this evening, I was free to join Mrs. Duck and the Leeds faithful for this clash of the titans.  Well, one titan at least!

We met up with some of the #twitterwhites, a group on Twitter founded by my good lady wife and the illusive "Scratching-Shed" after some drunken tweeting a couple of years ago.    The meeting place was the Peacock, opposite Elland Road a concerning place for someone who bleeds red and white as I do; highest of my concerns being not to spontaneously combust on such hallowed Leeds territory.  But I was made welcome by the Leeds fans and enjoyed the crack with Deano81_LUFC, MOTForever, LeedsJJo, AbsLeeds and co.  

I found the policing of this meeting of such bitter rivals strange.  Elland Road is a stadium that is easily approached from North or South and the South Stand is the current away end.  As I understood things, much to the disdain of Leeds fans, Man Utd. fans had been given access to the Pavillion (known as Ken's tent) by Leeds' much loved chairman.  So what were they doing around Billy's bar, directly opposite the Peacock?  

Its sad, that any measures at all are needed to keep rival fans apart, but events that evening proved that they are.  So if  you do know any of the idiots involved in the chanting or the violence, let your club know.  We are definately better off with them banned from football grounds.

Into the stadium and I was two rows from the front, right in the middle of the goal in the North Stand.   It was a great position to watch the great attacking display the visitors put on in the first half.

It was Leeds who had the first real chance though with a corner causing a bit of panic right at the start.  But after that, Man Utd. steadily got into an ominous rhythm.  The first came when Berbatov's pass cut through the Leeds' defence to find Ji-Sung Park.   His simple lay-off allowed Owen to wrong foot Lonegan, helped by a bit of a mis-cue.   

Owen's second was stunning.  It started with a short-corner with Giggs bringing the ball inside before finding Valencia who worked the ball to the opposite flank.  The cross was met by Owen at the edge of the area and he blasted into the top right-hand corner emphatically.  

Its a real shame Owen is content to ply his trade in the Manchester United reserves as on this form, he would undoubtedly be a contender for an England place.  

Right on half-time it was 3-0.  Another short corner by Giggs and on receiving the return ball he nutmegged Aidy White; accelerated with a pace that belied his years before flicking a shot into the top-corner past Lonegan.  Much to the chargrin of the Leeds Kop, Giggs ran in front of them with his hand cupped to his ear, obviously feeling that he had answered the stick he had been given that evening with aplomb.  He had!

At half half time I heard one of the Leeds ladies moaning about this celebration.  "What's in the crowd stays in the crowd" she told her friend with the knowledgeable nod of someone who had just made up a rule.  Here's mine madam - "If you can't take it, don't dish it out" - sorry I couldn't be so original as to compose it for you.

Second half and Giggs was withdrawn his job done.  Man United didn't look particularly interested in extending their lead in the second 45 but were far too organised for Leeds to break down although there was no lack of effort from the home side.  Even Sir Alex's subtle display of arrogance in pairing Berbatov and Carrick at centre-back for a significant period at the end of the game made little difference.  Right at the death, Leeds could and should have had a consolation when a great move found Nunez clean through on goal, but he blasted wastefully wide.

Game over and only the easy task of getting back to Leeds city centre and our hotel remained.  Just one complaint about organisation at Leeds.  Could you signpost and indicate where shuttle-bus tickets are purchased a little better?  Apart from that getting away was efficient and easy.  An enjoyable evening.