Match Recap: Sheffield Wednesday grab a 2-1 win over Leeds United

Leeds United once again were unable to hold on for a result, as Sheffield Wednesday scored an injury time winner to claim all three points at Elland Road and do the double over Leeds this season. Jay-Roy Grot scored his opening goal for the club, but it was for naught, as some dodgy defending resulted in Atdhe Nihiu getting his second goal of the match in injury time. Leeds will once again be forced to look in the mirror what could have been, as Leeds wasted shot after shot and chance after chance, only to see their rivals grab two improbably goals against the run of play due to some shoddy defending.

The biggest talking point, besides the weather, was the introduction of young Tom Pearce into the starting lineup at left back. Leeds have had a terrible time trying to find an effective left back this season, having played Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who returned to Manchester United after a poor loan spell, winger Stuart Dallas, Gaetano Berardi, Vurnon Anita, Laurens De Bock, U23 player Madger Gomes, and finally now academy player Pearce got his chance.

The first few minutes showed very little attacking intent from either side, with a few chances sprinkled in some poor play, with a number of players seeming to slip every now and again. Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a good save after a point-blank shot from Wednesday.

Caleb Ekuban had the best chance to score a goal in the first half, but his poorly taken shot went into orbit. No word as of late if the ball has managed to find the earth yet. Leeds were able to pile some pressure onto the Wednesday goal without any really good chances, as Hernandez had a number of crosses get away from him and Ekuban continueed to struggle with the ball at this feet.

Leeds dodged a bullet as the offsides denied Wednesday a goal after Leeds had totally failed to deal with a free kick. The ball had been headed back across the face of goal for another Wednesday player to head the ball in but the original target of the free kick was, thankfully for Leeds, offsides.

Leeds had a couple good chances at the start of the of the second half, but a free kick was punched clear by the Wednesday keeper and some good work by Alioski to get a ball into the six-yard box wasn’t capitalized on by the Leeds players.

Pablo Hernandez took a free kick in the 55th minute, but his effort went into the side netting as Leeds continued to press forward in search of a goal. Tom Pearce played a really nice through ball into the feet of Hernandez about 10 minutes later, but the resulting corner from the attack was shot wide of the goal by Gaetano Berardi.

Leeds were finally penalized by Sheffield Wednesday in the 71st minute as Leeds failed to deal with a cross. The resulting shot pinged off the post and back into the six yard box, for Nuhiu to bury the ball in the back of the net. The goal was completely against the run of play, as Leeds had been in control for most of the second half, but a few moments while the Leeds defence shut off was all that Wednesday needed to score an ugly goal.

Kalvin Phillips came on in place of Eunan O’Kane and Jay-Roy Grot came on for Tom Pearce as Leeds started to chase the match.

And then, to the amazement of probably everyone, Jay-Roy Grot snatched a headed goal. After the amount of abuse he’d taken from the crowd at Elland Road and online, it was great to see the young lad, who turned 20 years old earlier in the week, to score his first goal for Leeds at home.

And then Leeds conceded a late goal in stoppage time as Leeds fans are incapable of having good things. Pennington was unable to handle Nuhiu as Leeds pressed forward for a winner and the striker made no mistake, slotting the ball past Peacock-Farrell for a brace.

Leeds will feel as if they did enough to earn at least a point in this match, but some sloppy defending lead to both the opening and winning goal for Wednesday’s Nuhiu. The result ruined the day for Grot, as the young forward finally scored his first senior goal for the club in a losing effort.

Another Yorkshire derby, another loss for Leeds. When will the bleeding stop?