United Thrash Shrewsbury As Diouf Signs Up

Leeds United opened their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup at Elland Road.

Neil Warnock named a similar side to to the one that beat Burton Albion 1-0 on Tuesday night, the only change saw the injured Tom Lees replaced by Sam Byram in the starting line up. There was a surprise inclusion to the squad though following the announcement that controversial winger El Hadji Diouf had signed for the club on a non-contract basis and he was on the substitutes bench. The other major team news was that David Norris was wearing the captain's armband for Neil Warnock's side.

United looked nervy early on and it was clear to see that eight of the starting eleven were making their debut. Shrewsbury looked like the better team early on and tested Kenny on more than one occasion but it was the Whites that took the lead against the run of play when Rodolph Austin fierce effort was only parried to Luciano Becchio. The Argentine got his and Leeds United's campaign off to a good start by slotting home the rebound. It wasn't long before the home side built on their lead when Luke Varney knocked the ball into an empty net. Ross McCormack went through on goal but last seasons top scorer chose to square the ball to debutant Varney in order to avoid the onrushing advances of Shrewsbury keeper Chris Weale and United's new number 11 made no mistake. Despite a shaky start, United had settled into the game and started to take control, playing some good football in the process.

United continued their dominance in the opening stages of the second half and shortly after being denied following a good move, captain for the day and debutant David Norris made it 3-0 to Leeds. Similarly to events in the first half, United added another goal in a matter of minutes and it was Ross McCormack that made it 4. The goal came from the penalty spot after Paul Green had forced a visiting defender to handle the ball. Shortly after his goal, McCormack was replaced by United new boy El Hadji Diouf who understandably was given a mixed reception. Youngster Dominic Poleon was also given a run out as he replaced Paul Green.

There was nothing much to report after United's fourth but the Whites had kicked off their new season in fine style and comfortably reached the next round of the Capital One Cup. A similar result next week wouldn't go a miss please lads.