FULL-TIME: Bristol City 2, Leeds United 3
Controversial striker El Hadji Diouf netted twice as Leeds won a pulsating npower Championship encounter at Ashton Gate.
Signed by Whites boss Neil Warnock in the summer, the 31-year-old Senegalese forward opened the scoring in the 62nd minute.
Albert Adomah pulled City level with a spectacular header, but Hadji Diouf put Leeds back in front nine minutes from time.
Michael Tonge netted a third from ther edge of the penalty and Sam Byram's own goal came too late to rescue City.
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In buoyant mood after dumping Everton out of the Capital One Cup in midweek, Leeds started the brighter of the two sides and threatened an early goal, Aidan White jinking his way past centre-backs James Wilson and Liam Fontaine and letting fly with a shot that flashed beyond the far post.
In equally confident mood after scoring 11 goals in three previous games at Ashton Gate, City demonstrated their new-found attacking prowess when Albert Adomah sent over a cross from the right flank and Ryan Taylor arrived a split-second too late to head in.
Their partnership restored, Robins strikers Jon Stead and Taylor then combined to open up the visitors, the latter testing fit-again Whites keeper Paddy Kenny with a stinging drive that he gathered at the second attempt.
Debutant George Elokobi was to the fore in City's next attack, the on-loan defender hooking his shot across the face of goal after Leeds failed to clear an Adomah free kick.
If Leeds had plenty of possession without particularly going anywhere, City were prepared to shoot on sight and Paddy had to be alert to hold Stead's drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Defences continued to hold sway and Robins keeper Tom Heaton proved equal to a shot on the turn from El Hadji Diouf.
Making his first start of the season, Neil Kilkenny was a real driving force for City in the middle of the park and his pass invited Richard Foster to whip in a cross from the right. Martyn Woolford stole a march on his marker, only for his flicked header to drift wide of the target.
Elokobi was just 40 minutes into his debut when his involvement was unfortunately cut short by injury. He collapsed while attempting to block a cross and was stretchered off to be replaced by teenage left-back Joe Bryan.
Leeds emerged for the second half all fired up and almost went ahead when an unmarked Rodolph Austin met Hadji Diouf's out-swinging free kick with a header that came back off the cross bar.
When City again left the midfielder unmarked from another free kick, Heaton was called upon to make a fine diving save to divert his powerful downward header.
City awoke from their slumbers and Kilkenny threaded a pass through a crowded penalty area to create an opportunity for Stead, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Tom Lees.
City's defence suffered further unwanted disruption on 57 minutes when Bryan, who had only been on the field a short while, went to ground following a clash of heads with Austin.
Clearly dazed, he was unable to continue and was replaced by veteran defender Louis Carey, who slotted in at right-back with Foster switching to the other side of the back four.
City were still reorganising when Hadji-Diouf opened the scoring, ghosting in to turn in Sam Byram's low centre from close range.
But the lead lasted only eight minutes, Foster sending over a deep cross from an advanced position on the left for Adomah to score with a spectacular diving header from 10 yards out.
Hadji Diouf restored Leeds' advantage 11 minutes later, seizing upon a mistake by City skipper Liam Fontaine and sliding the ball past Heaton from close range.
City pushed hard for a second equaliser and were punished when Tonge lashed in a third goal from the edge of the penalty area.
Byram turned Adomah's corner into his own goal in time added on to set-up a thrilling finale, but it was too little too late for the Robins.
City (4-4-2): Heaton; Foster, J Wilson, Fontaine, Elokobi (Bryan 42, Carey 57); Adomah, Kilkenny, Pearson, Woolford; Taylor, Stead (Baldock 62).
Leeds (3-5-2): Kenny; Peltier, Lees, Pearce; Byram, Brown, Austin, Tonge, White; Diouf, Becchio (Gray 89).
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Worcestershire)
Attendance: 15,692
Comments
by ciderdog3
Monday, October 01 2012, 12:56PM
“Saturday's game sometimes looked like a throwback to last season at times; unable to keep possession and defensive blunders.
That said we did score twice and perhaps (if we did not lose 2 players through injury) we might have held out for a point. Like last season we flattered a very average Leeds team.
I was worried when the team was announced to be honest, Kilkenny (despite having a reasonable game) is too lightweight in the midfield to consistently win back possession.
We do need a quality CB, someone with experience like McManus would be ideal.
I though we missed Skuse in midfield more than anything else, he might have kept us in the game and earned us a deserved point.
We really need 3 points on Tuesday from Millwall...”
by BinRelegated
Monday, October 01 2012, 10:25AM
“Fontaine was appalling again on Saturday so im unsure how long Del will string this out for. I would put Nyatanga in, whilst at times his football skills are not the best, he is more of a solid defender that Fontaine.
As i said 2/3 years ago, we still need those two quality centre backs to give the rest of the side a foundation to attack from. Its clear that we have attacking flair and creativity in abundance now but lack the solidity to be able to make any sort of challenge.
However, i appreciate that this is not as easy as it may sound and Del, being a wily Scots man, is clearly biding his time to make sure any purchase is the right one.”
by RedNemesis1
Sunday, September 30 2012, 8:42PM
“PD
Completely agree re Nyatanga although the very fact I am is testament to where our defence is right now. It's going to have to change in any event for Tuesday due to poor George and Joe not being available. At least Foster looked a bit livelier.
A Sen Taylor of Championship standard? Now that really would dent Steve's wallet.......unless it was Monk for a season!”
by piledriver
Sunday, September 30 2012, 5:59PM
“@Magger1:
Del confirmed that he has the money to bring in the player/s he wants, so I don't see why you're having a pop at SL?
I agree however, that he needs TWO not one, although, when you look at the effect that Sean Taylor had, one would be a big help!”
by piledriver
Sunday, September 30 2012, 5:55PM
“@RedNemesis1:
The reason Del plays the two big lads is because, like it or not, we lump the ball to much.The idea is that they hold onto it and play advancing midfielders in.If we had that elusive, Tinnion style midfielder it wouldn't happen half as much as you could play Baldock and Davies up top.
We need two CB's and James Wilson needs to do a full season out on loan to gain the expeeince and see if he has the class to step up because getting knocked around by the likes of Becchio and Henderson won't do his confidence much good.
Fontaines' confidence is shot, so he should be dropped. I'd go with Carey & Nyatanga v Millwall.If Millwall play three strikers it wouldn't kill us to play Fonts, Carey & Nyatanga in a three with five across the middle and two up top.
Let's be honest, we can't defend much worse can we?”
by piledriver
Sunday, September 30 2012, 5:47PM
“@Frankclack:
Coppel didn't leave due to frustration, he left because he couldn't do the job and didn't have any enthusiasm for it.It's just a pity that he didn't jack before he signed Hunt & Stewart on massive wages!
We haven't signed a player on what they earned a week, since.”
by Bathonian1
Sunday, September 30 2012, 12:34PM
“Leeds & City fan here, absolutely gutted that I missed the game - first City home match I have missed in nearly 2 seasons, and it just had to be against my other team! I must point out that I am formost a Leeds fan but you can also find me cheering City on in the Dolman.
Don't fear City fans, this City team is shapping up to be the best they have had in 2 or 3 seasons. I can feel your pain in the fact that last season City couldn't score any goals and now they are firing them in - but then typically its the other end of the pitch that is of concern! That's football I suppose.
I think you are simply 1 championship standard defender away from a decent team. Play-offs may be a bit too unrealistic this season but relegation shouldn't be a fear - City are playing far to good to be even thinking whats behind them.
Lets have 3 points from Millwall I say.”
by Frankclack
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:42PM
“piledriver.
Coppell. :-))
Perhaps I could have put it better than "yet another", but if DMc. isn't frustrated he ought to be.”
by RedNemesis1
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:18PM
“I think Ryan Taylor is looking very useful indeed and if he keeps improving at the same rate as he has so far then we have a very handy and valuable striker. Why Del played him alongside Stead instead of Baldock is a mystery to me. Del's building a good team but sometimes his selection is baffling as is the ongoing lack of the central defender.
James Wilson is just not looking comfortable and Fontaine was poor again today in a poor defence.It's early days and judging by how Del has managed to turn things around generally and SL supporting signings then we have no reason to worry. Had Skuse and Cunningham been playing I think we would have won.
What a terrible injury to Elokobi who looked an inspired signing and exactly the type of defender we so badly needed. I hope it is only his season that's over and wish him well.”
by GermanExile
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:57PM
“I notice i8city is back as predicted.Notice by time of his posting he did not go to Exeter.Such a long long way ,how would you manage with a commute from Germany for each game?No best stay home and make stupid comments.We will play worse than today and win ,no need for panic.Prost”