Report: Leeds United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers exited the Carabao Cup in the first round after falling to a narrow defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Samuel Saiz were the difference for the home side, with debutant Erhun Oztumer scoring for the Whites.

FIRST HALF

Leeds started the brighter in the first half, with Samuel Saiz playing a delicate chip over the top for new Leeds frontman Patrick Bamford, who put his effort wide from six yards out.

Bolton had a half chance through Erhun Oztumer shortly after, with the Turkish midfielder playing a curled cross into the area, just out of reach from striker Connor Hall.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men replied instantly, with Bamford firing from distance but his effort was never troubling Whites keeper Remi Matthews, as it sailed wide of the mark.

Oztumer provided another cross on the 20-minute mark, with the set play finding the head of defender Jack Hobbs, whose effort found Leeds goalkeeper Jamal Blackman’s gloves.

A long throw from Jonathan Grounds found midfielder Gary O’Neil in space on the edge of the Leeds area, but his effort flashed wide of the goal.

Then, on the 27th minute, Patrick Bamford shrugged off a challenge from Hobbs, to fire low and hard into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Leeds nearly doubled their tally, with Saiz turning provider once again with a chip over the Bolton backline, but winger Jack Harrison could not find the target.

The home side then found the back of Bolton goal, catching the Whites on the break through Lewis Baker, as he squared the ball to Saiz who slotted the ball home.

SECOND HALF

Phil Parkinson’s men came back into the tie on the 52nd minute, when Oztumer found space just outside the opposition penalty area and calmly placed the ball past Blackman’s outstretched arm.

Leeds responded with a chance of their own shortly after, with Bamford again causing a nuisance, firing a volley over the bar from the 18-yard line.

Just after the hour mark and Bolton nearly found the equaliser, as Yanic Wildschut hit a shot from distance which was spilled by Blackman, but full back Grounds’ follow up effort failed to hit the target.

Jack Harrison came close for Bielsa’s men with 20 minutes to go, but his curled effort sailed into the stands.

Craig Noone fired a pinpoint cross field ball to find Wildschut in acres of space, but the Dutchman couldn’t place the ball past an onrushing Blackman.

Following that, Leeds left back Pearce had a strike from distance which was never troubling shot stopper Matthews.

Substitute Craig Noone came close as the game reached its climax, but his effort flew wide.

Wanderers: Matthews, Grounds (Taylor 73), Wilson, Hobbs, Little, Vela (C), O’Neil, Oztumer, Donaldson (Noone 57), Wildschut, Hall (Magennis 65)

Subs not used: Alnwick, Beevers, Olkowski, Pritchard

Attendance: 19,617

Read Time: 3 mins