Match Review: Leeds United 3 Boro 2

Emmanuel Latte Lath bagged his first Boro double, but it wasn’t enough to win a chaotic contest at Elland Road.

In a game of plenty of chances, Michael Carrick’s side were also reduced to 10 men with the sending off of Anfernee Dijksteel, and the Teessiders could still have taken something from the game.
 
Boro got off to an absolute flyer. Jonny Howson had already come within a whisker of releasing Matt Crooks on goal before Latte Lath smashed home a third minute opener after cutting in from the left.

But just as they had against Swansea earlier in the week, Leeds responded within minutes. Seny Dieng had denied a certain equaliser before Sam Byram delivered the cross for Dan James to head home.

And the craziness continued in the seventh minute when Leeds went ahead. Archie Gray was the supplier this time with a cross which was glanced on by Paddy McNair and fell kindly for Crysencio Summerville to apply the finishing touch.

It could have been 2-2 before the 10-minute mark. Morgan Rogers teed up Latte Lath but his shot was over the bar.

The Boro striker was then denied by Illan Meslier after a great pass from Dan Barlaser as Carrick’s side continued to look a real threat in the final third.

Again, though, Leeds countered quickly and a combination of Dieng and Isaiah Jones denied Georginio Rutter a certain third for the hosts.

All this, and there wasn’t even 20 minutes on the clock.

At the other end, Jones attempted to catch Meslier off his line with a chipped effort that had the Leeds keeper scrambling.

Boro were dealt an injury blow before half-time when McNair was forced out through injury and that paved the way for Matt Clarke to join proceedings.

Immediately, he was adjudged to have fouled Rutter just inside the box and Joel Piroe stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

Boro had an opportunity to reduce the arrears before the break, but Latte Lath headed wide of the mark.

The Boro marksman did find the target before half-time, though, when he got up well to head home a corner at the near post to make it 3-2 going into the break.
 

After the breathlessness of the first half, it was Boro who had first sight of goal in the second when Clarke got up well with a header.

For the home side, Rutter had a great chance to increase their advantage, but he wasted the opportunity when it looked easier to score.

Dieng was also called upon to react quickly when Summerville looked to latch on to a ball over the top.

When Boro threatened, Jones shot at Meslier and Latte Lath was crowded out by the Leeds defence.

Boro’s task was made harder shortly after the hour, though, when Anfernee Dijksteel received a second yellow card, following a foul on James, and the visitors were down to 10.

With just under 20 minutes left on the clock, Carrick made a double change with Josh Coburn and Sammy Silvera replacing Crooks and Latte Lath.

And Silvera almost had an immediate impact when his shot was deflected against the upright with Meslier stranded. Rogers followed up but was denied by a defender.

Two more changes followed with Lukas Engel and Alex Gilbert joining proceedings for the final 10 minutes or so.