Play-off heartbreak for Leeds
Leeds 0 - 3 Watford
Leeds United’s dreams of a 2006 Premiership return were abruptly ended on Sunday as Watford pounced on opportunities at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium. However manager Kevin Blackwell promises another strong campaign next season.
The Whites showed little intent from the off - leaving star man David Healy on the bench in an unadventuorous 4-5-1 formation.
It was a party atmosphere in the Championship playoff final as 64,736 fans swamped the Welsh capital. The mood was dampened for the Leeds fans when Demerit headed Watford ahead just 25 minutes in, following some lacklustre defending from Leeds striker Rob Hulse.
Things were looking up before half time however when Eddy Lewis went close with a trade-mark free kick, but the half was riddled with questionable refereeing decisions from Premiership official Mike Dean.
At the start of the second half things were made worse for the Yorkshire outfit when ‘Keeper Neil Sullivan put through his own net in comical fashion. Not even the introductions of Healy, Bakke and Blake could do anything to stop the rot and on 84 miutes Watford were rightly awarded a penalty which Henderson smartly converted.
On the day, Watford had too much for Leeds, something Blackwell was quick to confess. His former assistant (Watford’s manager) and former Sheffield United manager will both be looking forward to Liverpool and Arsenal whilst Leeds will hope for results against Colchester and Southend.
Leeds will surely rue the two red cards in the second leg against Preston which meant semi-final hero Matthew Killgallon had to play make-shift left back in a shaky defence.
It was a day when nothing went right for the Yorkshire outfit, chances were cleared off the line, a penalty decision was turned away and the third official, who actually awarded Leeds a few decisions, had to go off hurt.
More seriously for Leeds, the fact that they miss out on a £40 million bonus for reaching the Premier League may mean further financial hardship, though a summer move for Francis Jeffers is rumoured.
Take nothing away from Watford as this was their day. A place in England’s top league seemed a distant hope back in August. However, with strong summer signings and the threat of Marlon King, can the Hornets make a go of the Premiership?
By Steven Morrison
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
