Excellent Brentford stall Leeds promotion drive

Brentford 2 : 0  Leeds

Neil Maupay and Sergi Canos scored goals on ether side of the interval to set Brentford on their way to a surprisingly easy win. They were superb from start to finish and looked the better side against a fatigued and nervous Leeds, whose drive for automatic promotion is surely over after Sheffield United’s earlier win.

Griffin Park was a cauldron of noise provided by both sets of fans.

Leeds’ Tyler Roberts was through on goal first but never really brought it under control and his final touch was way too close to Bees keeper Luke Daniels. Leeds’ nerves showed when Pontus Jansson needlessly slid the ball out of play looking for a non existent yellow shirt.

11 minutes in Leeds were struck an injury blow with Ezgian Alioski leaving injured for Stuart Dallas. Leeds continued to look nervy and only a slip by Maupay denied him a clear shot on 13.­­­

Leeds continued to fight through their doubts.

Liam Cooper had both his shirt clearly tugged and was held at a Leeds corner in what fans may call ‘Salah penalties’ as in the Egyptian forward would have probably been awarded them. Hernandez made a smart tackle to deny Maupay a shooting chance.

Bees left winger Sergi Canos provided the skill of the first half beating three defenders but could only win a corner. He also brought out the save of the half from Casilla on 41 with a beautiful drive. But that was an hors d’ouevre to something even better.

Maupay put the Bees 1-0 up just before the interval when he latched onto to a through ball and hammered past Casilla superbly and with authority.

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Leeds came out with purpose but to some, their confidence seemed gone by events at the weekend and the late goal.

Maupay was the supplier this time as he flicked a pass perfectly into the path of Canos. He made no mistake to double Brentford’s lead. It was nearly three but for an excellent Casilla save and the rebound being volleyed over.

Daniels collected a Mateusz Klich drive and Leeds had little else to show.

Canos ran clean through and rounded Casilla. When demurred when he should have shot before, a defender being able to prevent any on target effort. Moses Odubajo who had a fine game, blocked one more effort from Leeds.

At the other end, Ollie Watkins was booked for diving, with Keith Stroud well positioned to make the call. Emiliano Marcondes replaced the excellent Canos and only his poor control allowed Liam Cooper a tackle to prevent a breakaway.

Still it was not to matter. Brentford’s day. And Leeds with the playoffs to look forward to.

Referee: Keith Stroud

Brentford: Daniels; Ngoyo, Jeanvier, Sorensen; Odubajo, Mokotjo, Sawyers, Henry; Canos, Maupay, Watkins.

Leeds United: Casilla, Alioski, Cooper, Jansson, Ayling, Forshaw, Klich, Roberts, Harrison, Hernandez, Bamford