Report: Leeds 1-5 Bolton
IN BRIEF
Bolton Wanderers turned in a five star performance at Elland Road, cruising beyond Leeds United to register their third consecutive victory.
Goals either side of half time from front two Joe Mason and Lukas Jutkiewicz got the ball rolling, before Zat Knight was the unlikely scorer of a third.
Mark Davies added a fourth before sub Andre Moritz crashed home a late fifth in what was a thoroughly convincing display.
TEAM NEWS
Freedman named the exact same matchday squad following the previous weekend’s 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
Despite a return to training, there was no place on the Bolton bench for Elland Road favourite Jermaine Beckford.
The Leeds team featured Stephen Warnock, a popular figure during his three-month loan spell with Wanderers last season.
FIRST HALF
Bolton started brightly, with Mark Davies cutting in off the left flank before dragging a low shot wide of the near post.
The early tempo was relentless. The home side enjoyed significant periods of pressure, but it was Bolton who looked more potent in the final third.
On 13 minutes Mason latched onto a ball in the right channel, before crossing for Jutkiewicz who failed to make contact.
Leeds responded with a looping Luke Murphy shot from distance, with a backpedalling Adam Bogdan relieved to see the ball sail narrowly over the bar.
Both sides showed plenty of endeavour, but as the half wore on goal-scoring chances were at a premium.
Neil Danns sent a shot straight down the throat of Jack Butland after a clever knock down from Jutkiewicz before Lee Peltier’s tame effort was easily gobbled up by Bogdan.
But just as it seemed the half was to end goalless, Mason put paid to that.
Danns smuggled the ball in behind an awry Leeds defence before Mason, who in acres of space, kept cool to finish beyond the onrushing Butland.
HALF TIME
The second period started in the best possible fashion, as Wanderers doubled their lead.
A seemingly routine set piece was clipped into the penalty area by Jay Spearing, and with the Leeds rearguard once again static, Jutkiewicz needn’t break stride before planting a header into the far corner.
Just as the travelling 1,000 plus Bolton fans had finished celebrating that second, a third goal arrived via an unexpected source.
Yet another set piece proved the undoing of the home side. A flighted ball into the area somehow made its way to the feet of Knight at the back post, who then stretched out a big size 12 to poke home beyond Butland.
Leeds boss Brian McDermott responded with a double substitution, introducing Alex Mowatt and beanpole striker Matt Smith.
The tide suddenly turned and it was all hands to the pump for Bolton, as Austin’s pile-driver from distance was fisted away by Bogdan.
Liam Trotter was introduced in place of Mason in an attempt to sure things up.
Leeds continued to press forward, but were once again caught out with a slick attacking move as Bolton added a fourth.
Jutkiewicz burst into the left channel, before delivering a delicious cross onto to which Mark Davies was able to unorthodoxly direct the ball into the net via his head.
Bolton were in complete control and sub Moritz smacked home a fifth off the underside of the bar on 88 minutes.
In stoppage time Smith did stoop to head home for the host, but ultimately it would not take the gloss off what was a memorable afternoon for Wanderers.
FULL TIME