Rhodes rocks Leeds' charge

Terriers hit back twice to deny table-topping United

By Chris Harvey   Last updated: 7th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rhodes rocks Leeds' charge

Rhodes: On the mark at Leeds

Related links

Teams

Also see

Huddersfield came from behind twice to hold Leeds United to a 2-2 draw in a full-blooded West Yorkshire derby.

Leeds led twice thanks to an early goal from Robert Snodgrass followed by a second-half strike by substitute Max Gradel which put Leeds back in front after Lee Novak's equaliser

But more than 36,000 fans saw Jordan Rhodes' header 12 minutes from time earn a point for the Terriers after United had threatened to extend their lead at the top of League One to nine points.

And the visitors could have won it in the dying moments but a pile-driving free-kick from Antony Pilkington hammered against the crossbar and bounced down to a grateful Casper Ankergren in the Leeds goal.

Leeds went ahead after just two minutes through Snodgrass who was on hand to prod home from close range after Alex Smithies could not hang on to Sam Vokes shot.

The Terriers came within a whisker of an immediate response but Rhodes' effort struck an upright while Gary Roberts screwed a shot wide when well-placed moments later.

United came close to extending their lead again on 14 minutes. Jermaine Beckford whipped in a cross from the right and Vokes glanced a header just wide of the upright.

Huddersfield continued to create problems for the Leeds defence and Ankergren had to be alert to cut out a low cross from Pilkington.

Huddersfield did see more of the ball as the game headed towards half-time, but United looked solid at the back, and looked to move the ball quickly in reply. Beckford's movement was first class and it was after more good work by the striker that Snodgrass hit the base of the post.

The visitors did enjoy a spell of pressure during the final moments of the first half, though, Roberts again wasted a decent opportunity while Rhodes should also have done better when the ball broke to him just yards out but Ankergren was able to save

The visitors got back level two minutes into the second half when United failed to clear a cross and Lee Novak headed home inside the six-yard box.

United almost restored the advantage within two minutes, Beckford twice being denied by some desperate defending. Neil Kilkenny threaded a ball through to Beckford, but Smithies reacted quickly to smother at the striker's feet.

A spectacular overhead effort from Antony Kay nearly put the Terriers ahead but his super strike was straight at Ankergren who immediately launched the ball upfield. Beckford challenged Smithies in the air and the ball broke to substitute Gradel who rifled the ball into the bottom corner.

Town pressed for the equaliser and Ankergren had to be alert to deny the visitors, bravely diving at Novak's feet to push the ball out for a corner.

However, they were not to be denied and with the Leeds defence vainly appealing for offside, Rhodes' header found its way into the bottom corner with just 12 minutes remaining.

Comments (23)

  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

James Galvin (Leeds United fan) says...

To Dan Shaw we're not good enough obviously OK then you've obviously been reading too much about Brian Clough and have turned into him or have a very short memory to say something as rediculous as that. The year that you lot scraped promotion Forest finshed in 2nd on 82 points Leeds finshed in 4th with 76 points which is 6 points behind BUT... we had 15 points taken away just, it seems to give other clubs a chance for promotion SO... add the 15 points we should've started with that gives you a total of......91 which would have put us 2nd 1 point behind swansea in 1st not good enough good point!!!

Posted 14:05 15th December 2009

Craig Sutherland (Leeds United fan) says...

Dan,good to see you following league 1 sides,mindst supporting Forest I am not surprised! What ridiculous comments have I made? and where did I say we are too big because of the 36,000 If your going to make silly remarks at least get your facts right! Yes we have crowds which average more than most Championship sides including yours and we have given many a side their record attendances and used our allocation at most away grounds but that was not my reason for saying we dont belong in League 1.In the main its because of the fact we are consistently in the play offs letting ourselves down at the last hurdle when the lottery starts.Yes I know we were not good enough clearly so, but on the day only, and thankfully for you, we always seem to have something which goes against us. Any unbeaten record at any stage means something, you should know how tough this league is, how long were you rotting here managing to scrape yourselves up by the skins of your teeth and only because of another team letting themselves down. So the fact we have been unbeaten in 21 at home,conceded only 10 goals and are sitting 4 soon to be 7 clear of 2nd and soon to be 11 clear of a good team in 3rd speaks volumes.If we were 3rd best we would be in 3rd so whos making the ridiculous comment now?So what we drew against Kettering, the cups all about big teams going out to little sides in their cup finals Blackburn nearly went out to you! so whats your point? How many premiership and championship sides have been beaten by lower league teams and at the end of the day we were not.5-1 in the rematch and deservedly so, whats your point now? I'm not cocky just proud and quietly confident and rightly so.See you next year because you will still be there and then at least your ground will be filled for you which will make a change even when your having a good run! In the meantime watch us on TV and more than forest of late what does that tell you?

Posted 08:06 9th December 2009

Dan Hoffman (Leeds United fan) says...

Chris Pearce (Huddersfield Town fan)!!!!!!!!!! if only you could play this good every week..... the problem is your are not as good as Leeds so you can't play this good week in week out! which is why we are TOP and you are not.

Posted 15:50 7th December 2009

Dan Shaw (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

Can I just say something in response to those ridiculous comments by Craig Sutherland. Having a big support doesn't mean your to big for that league at all. You've been down there 3 seasons because you've not been good enough and all that talk about about your current unbeaten record means nothing yet. You're only third in the league with 6 months to go before the end of the season. You'd think with the way you're harking on they'd be top and 20 points clear of second place. Sadly people like you think that having 36,000 every game warrants being in a better league and you seem to have forgotten the simple fact that Leeds are only as good as there position suggests. 3rd in League One. Thats how good you are. You only drew against Kettering in the Cup lest we forget so I wouldn't get to cocky yet.

Posted 13:33 7th December 2009

David Kershaw (Leeds United fan) says...

It was a superb game in which i agree Huddesfiled did have the better of the game but considering that all four defenders who were playing and our goal keeper was out which makes makes 5 players who do not normally start for leeds at the back then it was a better result for leeds than huddesfield. 10 point above you with a game in hand think you needed to win that won to have any chance of catching the might whites

Posted 10:39 7th December 2009

Rob Ramsden (Huddersfield Town fan) says...

Leeds home league attendances this season.. Exeter City - 27,681 Tranmere - 21,692 Stockport - 22,870 Gillingham - 21,026 Carlisle - 19,673 Charlton - 31,838 Norwich - 19,912 Yeovil - 24,482 Leyton Orient - 19,744 From 9 games total attendance = 208918 Average attendance = 23213 So where on earth did the 13,000 fans come from for the Huddersfield game? We're really THAT insignificant to Leeds that the attendance closed in on their attendance against Premiership Liverpool? Anyone predict the attendance for the next game against Southampton?

Posted 09:40 7th December 2009

Rikki White (Leeds United fan) says...

Even though it was a draw, i still see leeds remaining unbeaten at home aswell, you town fans make me laff our cup finall lol yeah right town at home well exciting , but to whom claimed gradel has disgracelful abilitly have a word with yourself mate if you had him maybe you might not be so many points behind us, League 1 title with the disgracefull gradel lol and the mighty beckford have a good time in league 1 next year town boys good look catching us.

Posted 09:14 7th December 2009

Matt Bass (Leeds United fan) says...

I think that league 1 officials like matches and attendances like this, and deep down like to keep Leeds in this Div as a trip to Elland Road for any other team is their equivilant to a trip to Wembly....However i think this year is Leeds final year in this Div - so hope everyone enjoyed the trips to ER while it lasted.

Posted 09:07 7th December 2009

Paul Field (Leeds United fan) says...

It's always the same with local derbies. Both teams pull out all the stops and put on a great show. I think the difference between Leeds and Hudders is that we are more professional week-in-week-out. Hudders seem to raise their game for the better teams, then next game struggle against lesser teams. No doubt Hudders fans think they are the better team, but you have to prove that over the season and not just one game. Putting aside my obvious loyalty, once Hudders fans get over their euphoria of a great performance they will realize they are really second best to Leeds, otherwise they would be top! However, I think they will go up and I hope they are second place to us at the end of the season. It shows that spendingmoney CAN buy you a good team, but where did they find the money to outspend us????? Well done for a great game both teams and may Leeds and Hudders fight another day and in another league!!

Posted 00:42 7th December 2009

Paul Wilkes (Leeds United fan) says...

Thought Huddersfield were the better side yesterday,but would question why they couldn't raise there game for every away game.

Posted 20:04 6th December 2009

Ben Carney (leeds) (Leeds United fan) says...

out-played in large parts and lucky to get a point but if leeds would have played how they could i reckon we would have hit about 5 past huddersfields sloppy and woeful defence and for that reason leeds will go up and huddersfield wont.

Posted 12:19 6th December 2009

David Johnson (Leeds United fan) says...

Huddersfield raise there game every time against Leeds which is why we haven't beaten them at last 4 attempts. they are nowhere near us in terms of squad. look at the table. the game is biggest of season to huddersfield. all we want is to go up. huddersfield have a chance in the playoffs as its a lottery as we know. think norwich will pip charlton to 2nd

Posted 11:22 6th December 2009

Paul Freer (Leeds United fan) says...

Huddersfield were the better side on the day, but you cannot play well every game and town always raise there game for there cup final! I am sure we could have a pick of there best players in january with them being a small town club in brighouse!! Nice to see they sold there tickets this year must because they are not doing to bad this season.

Posted 11:22 6th December 2009

Craig Sutherland (Leeds United fan) says...

A superb match, best of the day by a long shot. Huddersfield always raise their game against Leeds, usually because the bragging rights is all they can achieve in a season. Truth is If they played like that week in week out, they would be closer than the 14 points, soon to be 17 they are behind us, not to mention the point for goal difference but they dont. We need to play as we can against them but given they are not a threat we dont seem to know how to treat them as one and once again underachieve. Still, a points a point & we march on undefeated at Elland Road having only 10 goals scored against us in 18 games. We are looking good and with 11 points on 3rd place we have room for a few mistakes along the way. Not quite Premiership but too big for league 1 so cmon boys keep the impetus up and lets get to the Championship where we should be, marching on on on....

Posted 01:11 6th December 2009

Matthew Firth (Huddersfield Town fan) says...

Anyone who was at that game today could see how much better Huddersfield were than Leeds. It was a fantastic match, which was a great advert for League 1. I hope that games repeated next year in the championship. But lucky Leeds escaped from their cup final with a point. Come on you Terrier's

Posted 22:11 5th December 2009

Garry Sprackling (Leeds United fan) says...

Come on Leeds! a fantastic start to the season so far, really cant see you slipping up this season. Lets get to the championship for next season and hopefully back to the premiership were we belong. Your way to strong this season to be in the div 1. Gary a lifelong fan for over 30 years!

Posted 21:21 5th December 2009

Leanne Groves (Huddersfield Town fan) says...

Looking at huddersfield performance against leeds is looking very good indeed shame Huddersfield didnt win it in last min they would have deserved it. I watched them a few weeks back and there looking good.

Posted 21:21 5th December 2009

Chris Pearce (Huddersfield Town fan) says...

Huddersfield vs Leeds last 5 encounters... Huddersfield won........ 3 Draws............................ 1 Huddersfield losses... 1 wish we could play leeds every week we'd be top! Enough said! Lee Clarks barmy army and the mighty TERRIERS

Posted 18:50 5th December 2009

Luke Smith (Huddersfield Town fan) says...

What a game! This game today showed the calibre of these two teams, and that both teams absolutelly deserve to be in a better league than league one. However, Huddersfield went to Elland Road today and absolutelly played Leeds of the park, they deserved all three points today and Leeds must be going home wondering how they have managed to salvage a point. Up the town!

Posted 18:44 5th December 2009

Danny Garnett (Leeds United fan) says...

we are leeds, super leeds

Posted 18:06 5th December 2009
  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private