Football: Majestic McAllister
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Leeds United. . 4
Wimbledon. . . .0
LEEDS signalled their re-emergence as championship contenders with their fifth successive Premiership victory, a sequence unmatched in Howard Wilkinson's five years at Elland Road. They moved into third place with a performance that revealed many of their old qualities - midfield dominance under the impressive Gary McAllister, spasmodic attacking flair and the luck to counteract their defensive frailties.
Brian Deane hit a post after only 45 seconds and Gary Speed put Leeds ahead two minutes later, flicking in a cross from the rejuvenated Rod Wallace.
Without their regular full- backs, Warren Barton and Roger Joseph, Wimbledon could not prevent Leeds launching a stream of crosses from both flanks, but it was a penetrating run from midfield by McAllister that brought the second goal. Scott Fitzgerald brought him down on the edge of the area and the Leeds captain took the free-kick himself, curling it over the wall into the top corner.
But then some of the old failings began to reappear. Slack marking gave Dean Holdsworth a free header which dipped over the bar and Mark Beeney's body denied Vinnie Jones on his return to his old stamping ground.
Leeds' sloppiness could have proved terminal four minutes into the second half when Gary Blissett sprang the offside trap and Beeney brought him down, but Jones stuck the penalty wide.
Holdsworth hit a post and Beeney turned another of his efforts over the bar with an out- stretched foot, but with 10 minutes left McAllister dribbled into the box to score his second and Speed started and finished the best move of the game to equal his midfield partner's tally in the dying seconds.
Leeds United (4-4-2): M Beeney; G Kelly, D Wetherall, J Newsome, T Dorigo; G Strachan, C Fairclough, G McAllister, G Speed; B Deane, Rod Wallace (F Strandli, 75 min). Subs not used: D Rocastle, J Lukic (gk). Manager: H Wilkinson.
Wimbledon (4-4-2): H Segers; D Blackwell (G Dobbs, 79 min), S Fitzgerald, J Scales, A Kimble; N Ardley, V Jones, R Earle, L Sanchez; J Fashanu (G Blissett, h/t), D Holdsworth. Sub not used: P Digweed (gk). Manager: J Kinnear.
Referee: J Worrall (Warrington).
Goals: Speed (1-0, 2 min); McAllister (2-0, 18 min); McAllister (3-0, 81 min); Speed (4-0, 90 min).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments