Match Recap: Leeds come from behind twice to beat Millwall 3-2 at Elland Road

Leeds United came into today’s match a single point behind Sheffield United for the final automatic promotion spots while Millwall came into the match looking to put some distance between themselves and the relegation spots.

Elland Road has been a fortress for Leeds when Millwall had visited, with the exception of last year’s nightmare, so would Leeds be able to send Millwall back to South London empty handed? And would Bristol City do Leeds any favours at Bramall Lane as they took on Sheffield United?

Milwall took an early lead after Mahlon Romeo got to a ball that appeared to be going out into touch, and his cross met the head of an unmarked Ben Thompson in the Leeds box. Peacock-Farrell had no chance on Thompson’s header, but questions should be raised on how the Millwall player had gotten so free in the Leeds box.

Leeds had a chance to pull level a few mintues later after Gjanni Alioski won a penalty in the Millwall box, but Patrick Bamford took a crap penalty and it was saved by the Millwall keeper, David Martin. A terrible miss at a vital time in the match, as pulling a goal back soon after conceding the opener would have lifted the mood of both the fans and the team.

Pablo Hernandez, however, would bring Leeds level in the 34th minute after he latched onto a Luke Ayling cross in the box and fired the ball past Martin. Ayling’s cut-back had seemed to fool everyone and Hernandez picked out a good spot for his well-struck shot that Martin was unable to get down to save.

After the goal, Leeds dominated the rest of the half, putting almost constant pressure on the Millwall goal while the visitors seemed try and hold on for dear life.

Barry Douglas was brought in in the second half for Alioski, and Leeds started to look a little less dangerous, despite an extended sequence of corner kicks and crosses right after the half.

Not content to make things easy, Leeds allowed Millwall back into the match as Liam Cooper fouled Ben Marshall in the box. Marshall, unlike Bamford, took his penalty well and fired it past Peacock-Farrell to give Millwall another lead in the match.

An improbable goal-scorer would bring the teams level, as Luke Ayling got himself into a good spot right near in front of goal and headed home another equalizing goal after Barry Douglas got in a good cross from the left. A well-taken opportunity and showed just how good this team is when they actually convert their chances.

Pontus Jansson was taken off shortly before the goal after seeing yellow for a stray elbow which smacked Millwall’s Jed Wallace in the face. Kalvin Phillips moved to central defence to fill in while Jansson went to calm down on the bench. Adam Forshaw was brought on for Mateusz Klich to play the defensive midfield role that Phillips had left to play in central defence.

And because football is incredible, Hernandez scored a second goal in the 82nd minute to give Leeds the lead for the first time in the match. A brilliantly taken goal that put Leeds ahead only seconds after Bristol City had taken the lead over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Leeds hung on the rest of the way, as Millwall introduced cartoon villain Steve Morison and Tom Elliot, despite five minutes of stoppage time. A well-fought match that was tighter than it should have been, but a good win for Leeds nonetheless. With Sheffield United losing at home, Leeds are back in the automatic promotion spots. MOT