Leeds 1-0 Ipswich- Match Report


Chris Wood helps Leeds continue their recent revival under Garry Monk

Chris Wood netted his seventh goal of the season as Leeds continued their recent revival under Garry Monk with a 1-0 home victory over Ipswich.

The former Ipswich loanee, having already crashed a fierce shot against a post, headed home the winner in the 35th minute.

Wood has proved an influential figure in Leeds' progress under Monk, scoring in all four of their consecutive wins, following a challenging start to life in the Elland Road hotseat for the ex-Swansea boss.

As for Ipswich, they failed to find the net for the second successive match and had Bartosz Bialkowski, who made fine second-half saves from Wood and Kalvin Phillips, to thank for keeping them in the contest until the very end.

Leeds, without injured midfielders Ronaldo Vieira and Liam Bridcutt, were in the ascendancy from the off and had the first attempt at goal as Hadi Sacko surged forward from halfway, brushed off Cole Skuse in midfield and fired a shot high and wide.

The hosts went closer in the ninth minute, almost opening the scoring when Wood took down a Pontus Jansson long ball on the chest, advanced down the left and unleashed a fierce right-footed shot that crashed off the post.

Ipswich midfielder Grant Ward had a low volley from the edge of the box deflected just wide of Rob Green's right post for a corner, which Christophe Berra headed over from close range.

But the visitors struggled to get hold of the ball and it was Leeds who deservedly took the lead 10 minutes before half-time through Wood, the in-form striker heading Charlie Taylor's dinked cross into the bottom corner following smart build-up play involving Stuart Dallas down the left.

Wood looked a man in form and he had two more efforts before half-time, volleying over on the turn and firing into a wall of Ipswich players in the box.

The New Zealand international was in again nine minutes after the interval, slotted through by Pablo Hernandez's defence-splitting pass, but goalkeeper Bialkowski raced out and saved with his legs.

Leeds continued to dominate and Sacko missed a glorious opportunity to double the lead when, with only Bialkowski to beat, the unmarked winger shot wide from close range after Wood's blocked shot fell perfectly into his path.

Bialkowski was at full stretch to tip over a 20-yard curling free-kick from Phillips and then made a routine stop to keep out a Wood daisycutter.

Freddie Sears had a chance to salvage a point for Ipswich five minutes from time but he curled a 20-yard free-kick over the top.


Source : PA

Source: PA