Leeds travelled to Portman Road in buoyant mood following three good performances in the space of a week. Ipswich on the other hand had conceded 13 goals in the opening four games and came into this encounter on the back of a 7-1 thumping away to newly-promoted Peterbrough. Simon Grayson reverted back to the team which impressed at West Ham the previous weekend after making changes during the week for the Carling Cup clash with Doncaster Rovers.
The form guide looked reliable as Leeds bossed the first 45 minutes and it was the little Scot Ross McCormack who was on the receiving end of most of the chances, firstly he was played in behind the Town defence only to see his effort from a tight angle saved by on-loan Fulham keeper David Stockdale. It was Leeds born Stockdale who came out on top again when Tom Lees whipped in a delightful cross which McCormack met with a firm header but unfortunately for him and Leeds it was straight at the keeper and the ball just bounced back off him.
United looked incredibly comfortable and if anything looked like the home side. It was the travelling army that were soon celebrating as Ross McCormack finally got the better of Stockdale. Some good work from Scotland International Robert Snodgrass resulted in his cross being carefully guided into the bottom corner by McCormack's head. United's number 44 grabbed his fourth goal of the season and third in three league games. It was no more than their dominance merited and the home crowd were silenced (not that they were making any noise anyway).
The Whites keeper Andy Lonergan was not called upon during the first period but it seemed his goal would be under siege much more in the second half as just after the restart Leeds had a men sent off for the third time this season. A Leeds corner was hoofed clear and it was a bouncing ball that Aidy White should have dealt with, however the young full back didn't and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas managed to get to the ball only to be brought down by White in what seemed to be a six of one and half a dozen of the other type of challenge. A free kick just outside the box and a red card was produced by referee Andy D'Urso.
Goal scorer Ross McCormack was instantly replaced by Andy O'Brien and Darren O'Dea reverted to left back. Grayson clearly wanted to hold on to what he had. Naturally, the extra space created by having a man less meant that the home side had more possession, however, they still weren't doing anything with the ball. Other than an effort from Keith Andrews which was easily palmed out by Lonergan United still looked fairly comfortable and it looked possible that they could hold out for the three points. Not even the incredible impact of Jimmy Bullard stepping off the bench could inspire the tractors boys into action.
With just over ten minutes left on the clock, Town were level. Substitute Jason Scotland with a low drive which Lonergan, the former Preston shot-stopper, was unable to keep out. It seemed there was some Ipswich fans inside Portman Road after all as they all came alive to celebrate their sides leveller. Leeds still could have won it and they had a penalty claim when Max Gradel tried to cut back on his right inside the penalty. The shout fell on deaf ears as D'urso waved away the protests much to the annoyance of the travelling Leeds fans. There was another chance moments later when former Leeds trainee and on loan Wolves forward Andy Keogh worked a good opportunity for himself. A shot on goal or a tee up for Gradel were the opportunities available but in the end hi achieved neither and his pass was straight into the Ipswich defender.
The turnaround was complete in the closing stages of the game when a shot from Ireland international Keith Andrews looked off a United defender over the keeper and into the back of the net. The nature of the winning goal typified the outcome of the match and Leeds can count themselves very unlucky to be going into the international break with only four points and not seven. Next up for the Whites is Crystal Palace at Elland Road on September 10th.
My view on the game:
One word to describe the game is injustice. Leeds were in complete control in the first forty five and it was very pleasing to watch. Just like the Boro game, if we had of kept eleven men on the field, we wouldn't have lost the game and would probably have won. As much as it is tempting to blame D'urso, it was the Linesman who got the man sent off and he should take the flak for making a poor decision. If i was an Ipswich fan i would be worried, even with Leeds down to ten men they looked poor and will be wondering how they managed to win the game. Leeds can take a lot of heart from the game as they are starting to look a good side and with much more of the same they will climb the table in no time.
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