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Leeds United 4 Crystal Palace 0 – Carling Cup 2nd Round

Gary McAllister made eight changes to the United side that misfired against Yeovil Town in the league on Saturday. The side included 16 year-old debutant Aidan White at left-back and 36 year-old debutant Paul Telfer.

Leeds took an early lead when Beckford flicked on a long ball for out-of-favour Jonathon Douglas to lob over the Palace keeper. Douglas had an excellent night and most in the crowd expect McAllister to rethink the midfielder’s future – he is out of contact at the end of this season.

Then it was Beckford’s turn to score, putting away a cross from Neil Kilkenny fresh from the Beijing Olympics with the Olyroos. That’s how the first half ended with a comfortable lead for United.

Shortly after the restart, exciting Argentinian striker, Luciano Becchio scored his second goal in a week with a headed in the 52nd minute. Becchio scored in the first minute of Saturday’s game against Yeovil.

It was Becchio’s replacement, Nigerian striker Enoch Showunmi, who scored United’s fourth with a curled shot.

After the game MacAllister said, “”I thought Luciano Becchio led the line fantastically, and that some of the combinations in the middle of the park and some of the movement in the final third was excellent.”

Palace manager Neil Warnock was magnanimous after the defeat at a stadium where he has enjoyed much success as Sheffield United manager: “Quite honestly we couldn’t cope with the front lads. Once the second goal went in it was disappointing to say the least.

“If you defend like that you’re going to get beat against any level of opposition and I thought the two centre forwards bullied our defenders from start to finish.

“I’m not used to coming to Leeds and losing. I usually enjoy coming here and putting one over on them but they thoroughly deserved it.”

So Leeds United reach the third round of the Carling Cup and the chance of a meeting with one of the top four Premier League sides which should guarantee a crowd much bigger than the disappointing one tonight which barely reached five figures.

Leeds United: Lucas, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Aidan White (Johnson 73), Hughes, Douglas, Delph, Kilkenny, Beckford (Howson 78), Becchio (Showunmi 57).
Subs Not Used: Martin, Marques, Robinson, Snodgrass.

Goals: Douglas 11, Beckford 32, Becchio 52, Showunmi 76.

Crystal Palace: Flahavan, Ertl, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill, Soares, Watson (Fletcher 88), Carle (Hills 63), Djilali, Andrew, Moses (Ifill 66).
Subs Not Used: Speroni, Thomas, Oster, Griffit.

Att: 10,765

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Leeds United have released 20-year-old Irishman Robert Bayly.

Leeds are over endowed with midfielders and Macca recently said that he could not bring in another player unless he first let some players go so midfielder Bayly was clearly in the firing line.

Bayly’s contract was terminated by mutual consent. He had a trial with Darlington a few weeks ago but no move materialised.

Robert made just three first-team appearances for Leeds. His full debut was in the Championship against Derby County in the last game of the 2007/08 relegation season. He ended the game early with a red card.

Bayly spent part of pre-season ahead of the current campaign with Darlington but was not offered a contract by the Quakers.

Last season Leeds United took all three points at Huish Park on a Friday night to get themselves into the play-offs. However this Saturday they had to make do with a share of the points after Lloyd Owusu’s penalty cancelled out Luciano Becchio’s first-minute goal.

Becchio scored his first goal in a Leeds shirt with a low shot past keeper Asmir Begovic in the first minute of the game.

The referee said Paul Warne was fouled by Paul Huntington and Owusu’s equalised from the penalty spot despite Casper Ankergren saving the initial shot.

In a match that was heated at times both sides had further chances to score with the better ones falling to Yeovil.

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister ended the game disappointed. Last year Leeds started with seven wins on the trot, so far this season they have had a win, a draw and a loss in the league. They seem to have saved their best form for the Carling Cup where they beat lesser opposition Chester City 5-2 in the first round. Leeds face a tougher challenge against Crystal Palace in round two this coming Tuesday and this game was far from ideal preparation for it.

Yeovil: Begovic, Peltier, Skiverton, Forbes, Jones, Downes (Roberts 52), Way (Alcock 90), Murtagh, Schofield (Lloyd Owusu 15), Tomlin, Warne.

Subs Not Used: Wagenaar, McCollin.

Booked: Downes, Peltier, Warne, Forbes.

Goals: Owusu 62.

Leeds: Casper Ankergren, Frazer Richardson, Paul Huntington, Rui Marques, Alan Sheehan, Robert Snodgrass (Jonathan Douglas 73), Jonny Howson (Fabian Delph 86), Dave Prutton, Andy Robinson (Enoch Showunmi 73), Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio.
Subs Not Used: David Lucas, Paul Telfer.

Booked: Snodgrass, Becchio, Huntington, Beckford.

Goals: Becchio 1

Att: 6,580

Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)