Oct 3, 2015 at 3pm UK at ​Elland Road
LeedsLeeds United
0-2
BirminghamBirmingham City

Cooper (19'), Cook (65'), Antenucci (94')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Gray (31'), Maghoma (91')
Davis (62')

Live Commentary: Leeds United 0-2 Birmingham City - as it happened

Leeds manager Uwe Rosler during the game with Reading on August 16, 2015
© Getty Images
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Birmingham City's 2-0 win over Leeds United, as the Blues maintained their unbeaten away league run.

Birmingham City produced a fine away performance to see off Leeds United 2-0 at Elland Road.

The Blues remained disciplined throughout and plucked off their opponents to maintain their unbeaten league run on the road this season.

Demarai Gray opened the scoring for the visitors shortly after the half-hour mark, before substitute Jacques Maghoma made certain of the points late on.

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
2.30pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship clash between Leeds United and Birmingham City at Elland Road.

2.32pmIt has been a mixed start to the campaign results wise for the Whites, but with just two wins to their name so far they are in desperate need of three points in order to maintain their outside promotion hopes. Birmingham are well on track to achieving their aim for the campaign, meanwhile, having returned to winning ways last time out to climb into the top six on goal difference.

2.33pmThere is plenty to get through between now and kickoff in a little under 30 minutes' time, so let's get straight into things by checking out some team news from West Yorkshire.

2.35pmTEAM NEWS!

LEEDS UNITED XI: Silvestri; Berardi, Cooper, Bamba, Taylor; Murphy, Cook, Mowatt; Buckley, Dallas, Wood

BIRMINGHAM CITY XI: Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds; Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Cotterill, Gray, Donaldson


2.37pmStarting with the home team, then, and Uwe Rosler has made four changes to his starting lineup from last time out. The most notable inclusion is that of Will Buckley, who makes his first start for the club since joining on loan from Sunderland earlier this week.

2.39pmThere is also a start for Chris Wood, who was dearly missed at last week's 3-0 reverse at Middlesbrough, while Liam Cooper and Luke Murphy also come in. Giuseppe Bellusci is among those to drop out for the hosts, meanwhile, following his calamity own goal at the Riverside six days ago.

2.41pmIn terms of the visitors, they remain unchanged from their victory over Brentford in midweek. That means a place up top for striker Clayton Donaldson, who is tasked with scoring the goals to fire the Blues into the playoff zone. He will be joined in attack by the seemingly in-demand Demarai Gray, while David Cotterill starts on the other flank.

2.43pmBENCH WATCH!

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Turnbull, Wootton, Bellusci, Adeyemi, Botaka, Byram, Antenucci

BIRMINGHAM CITY SUBS: Legzdins, Solomon-Otabor, Brown, Magahoma, Toral, Spector, Brock-Madsen


2.45pmMirco Antenucci also drops down to the bench following last week's under-par performance in the North East, joining Tom Adeyemi, Sam Byram and the aforementioned Bellusci. Birmingham can call upon Jon Toral and Danish forward Nicolai Brock-Madsen among others, meanwhile, as they look to close in on the top six.

2.47pmWill Buckley is handed his first start for Leeds United this afternoon after officially completing his loan switch from Sunderland on Friday

Will Buckley for Sunderland on October 25, 2014© Getty Images


2.49pmWell it has been very much a mixed start start to the season for Leeds, but one that is bordering more towards disappointment at this stage. Five draws from the opening six games ensured that the Whites' form was tough to read, yet two defeats in the last three suggests that they are currently on the slide.

2.51pmIndividual errors were to blame for last weekend's reverse at Middlesbrough, with Sol Bamba's slip-up and Bellusci's own goal proving to be the Yorkshire outfit's downfall. As things stand, Leeds find themselves four points of the playoff zone and also four points off relegation, which pretty much sums things up nicely.

2.53pmBirmingham have managed to steer themselves back on track following three games without a win, on the other hand, with a shock home defeat at the hands of Rotherham United looking as though it could see the tide change. Credit to Gary Rowett's men, though, because they bounced back at Brentford in midweek and now find themselves in seventh place.

2.55pmA win here today will ensure that they end the weekend in the playoff zone, and if they are to leave with all three points then Donaldson will no doubt prove key. The in-form striker has played a part in eight of his side's 14 goals so far this season, with four strikes and four assists to his name.

2.57pmDID YOU KNOW? Leeds have not won at home in their last four attempts, in a run stretching back to last March. Birmingham, on the other hand, have won four and lost none of their last six on the road in the Championship.

2.59pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! The whites have won just one of their last four matches against Birmingham at Elland Road, although today's visitors are without a win against Leeds in four meetings now. That comes on the back of a run of four-successive victories, so they will need to rectify that this afternoon.

3.00pmThe two sets of players are now out onto the field, but there is still time to check out the views of the Sports Mole Sofa team prior to kickoff


1 minKICKOFF! Birmingham get us underway at Elland Road, aiming to pick up successive wins in order to head into the international break sitting inside the top six.

3 minThere is a good atmosphere being generated at this famous ground this afternoon, as both sets of fans look to spur on their respective sides. Leeds are already looking to get Buckley on the ball; a player with Premier League experience.

5 minBirmingham earn themselves an early corner, but Cotterill's delivery was not the greatest and Leeds easily cleared away. Neither side able to settle into any sort of rhythm thus far following a rather frantic start.

7 minGray and Wood both have tame attempts on goal, with neither able to trouble the opposition keeper. A lively start at Elland Road, with both teams looking to put together some early attacking moves.

9 minTaylor and Dallas link-up well in the best flowing move of the game so far, which culminates in Wood seeing his first-time effort deflect wide. Still goalless but certainly encouraging signs from the hosts over the past few minutes.

11 minIt is still the hosts who are asking all the questions at the moment, putting together some decent moves in the attacking third which are just not quite coming off. Uwe Rosler will certainly be encouraged by what he has seen so far.

13 minCaddis chips one into the back-post area, but Silvestri reads the danger well to collect. These high levels of intensity are showing no signs of dropping at the moment.

15 minBoth sets of players are doing well to close down the ball, which is only adding to the rushed feel of these opening 15 minutes. I'm expecting the levels to drop somewhat as the half goes on, but right now it is a decent watch as both continue to push forward.

17 minAn entertaining start it may have been, yet we are still to see any real chances. A lack of quality in attacking areas is to blame for that, with Leeds in particular guilty of being a little too fancy when on the ball.

19 minYELLOW CARD! Liam Cooper, in for Bellusci this afternoon, earns himself an early booking after bringing down Cotterill. The Scotsman has to be careful for the remaining 70 minutes or so.

21 minDavis is quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box, which he blasts well over. Still yet to see a single shot on target in the opening quarter of this Championship clash.

23 minSHOT! Berardi fires in a low shot on goal from the edge of the box, which was straight at Kuszczak down the middle.

25 minBuckley has not had quite the influence on this game that he would have liked in the opening 25 minutes, but Leeds still look to pick him out on the flank. The tempo has certainly slowed down somewhat now.

27 minSome good work by Cook in midfield gets supporters excited, but Leeds fail to make the most of the attack and have to settle for a corner which comes to nothing.

29 minGOAL! LEEDS UNITED 0-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY (DEMARAI GRAY)

30 minLeeds have certainly seen more of the ball so far, but it is Birmingham who take the lead thanks to their cutting edge in attack. The chance looked to have gone when Donaldson lost possession, yet Gray was on hand to pick up the ball inside the box and fire home superbly beyond Silvestri.

32 minDemarai Gray's strike on the half-hour mark has edged Birmingham ahead at Elland Road

Demarai Gray of Birmingham City in action during the Pre Season Friendly match between Notts County and Birmingham City at Meadow Lane on July 29, 2014© Getty Images


34 minSHOT! City look to use the momentum from the goal, which was arguably against the run of play, by pushing forward and earning a free kick. Despite being all of 35 yards out, Cotterill opted to take the shot on and it bounced awkwardly in front of Silvestri, who recovered well to collect the follow-up.

37 minJust not working for United at the moment, who are still seeing plenty of the ball but not doing a great deal with it. The difference so far has been Birmingham's ability to take the one half-chance which fell their way thanks to Gray's rifled drive.

39 minCotterill uses his impressive delivery skills to swing in another set-piece, but Davis was flagged for a foul at the back post to see the latest attack come to an abrupt end.

41 minA bit of frustration can be sensed from the stands now, as Leeds continue to labour away without troubling Birmingham. Kuszczak has been very comfortable between the sticks so far this afternoon, with four minutes to go before the interval.

43 minSAVE! Birmingham come close to doubling their advantage through Gray, who managed to get a shot away from the edge of the box despite seemingly losing his footing, but Silvestri was quick down to push the ball to one side.

45 minSAVE! Glorious chance for Leeds - easily their best of the half - which Dallas probably should have made more of. The ex-Brentford man was slipped in at an angle, but his curler was brilliantly kept out by Kuszczak to keep Birmingham in front.

45+2 minWe are into the second of three added on minutes at the end of this first half, and City look comfortable on the ball once more following that Dallas scare. Things are just threatening to boil over a little following a series of niggling challenges.

45+3 minHALF TIME: LEEDS UNITED 0-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY

3.51pmBirmingham see out that late Leeds thread to take a one-goal lead into half time. Demarai Gray bagged the so-far decisive strike just after the half-hour mark, with what was essentially the Blues' first real promising attacking move.

3.54pmThe opening quarter of the game was certainly lively, with both teams taking it in turns to get bodies forward. It was Leeds who saw more of the ball, but neither side were able to get a meaningful effort on goal until Gray's breakthrough.

3.57pmThe only other chances came in the final few minutes before half time, as first Gray saw as his effort from the edge of the box pushed aside by Silvestri, before Kuszczak got a hand to Dallas's curling effort which was destined for the top corner of the net.

4.00pmBENCH WATCH!

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Turnbull, Wootton, Bellusci, Adeyemi, Botaka, Byram, Antenucci

BIRMINGHAM CITY SUBS: Legzdins, Solomon-Otabor, Brown, Magahoma, Toral, Spector, Brock-Madsen


4.02pmUnited boss Uwe Rosler may be tempted into making a change at the break, but his side's solid end to the opening 45 minutes may be enough to see the German keep faith until the hour. Opposite number Gary Rowett will be happy enough with what he has seen from his side, meanwhile, as the teams emerge for the second half.

4.04pmUwe Rosler has opted against making any changes at the break, as his side chase down a one-goal deficit

Leeds manager Uwe Rosler during the game with Reading on August 16, 2015© Getty Images


46 minRESTART! The Whites get proceedings back underway in West Yorkshire. A fast, positive start is needed to get the home supporters firmly behind them.

48 minThe first attempt of the second half comes via Gleeson, who lets rip from 25 yards out on the volley. The ball flew well wide of goal in the end, however, to the delight of the home supporters inside Elland Road.

50 minMowatt is picked out by Dallas inside the box, but he fails to trouble Kuszczak with his attempt. Good start to the half for Leeds, but it appears to be a case of same old at the moment as they struggle to find the additional quality needed in attack.

52 minThe attendance has just been announced at 24,601, including 898 from Birmingham. Those home supporters were desperate for a promotion push this campaign, or at least a season that offered some hope, but as things stand it is similar disappointment after 10 games.

54 minDonaldson gets in behind Cooper for the first time this half, but he completely miscues his shot with the ball ending closer to Row Z than the back of the net. That has to go down as half a chance.

56 minCLOSE! A decent cross into the box is well defended by Robinson for a corner. The set piece is met by a climbing Bamba, who heads a yard or so wide of goal.

58 minLEEDS UNITED SUB! Buckley's debut lasts for just short of an hour, with Jordan Botaka coming on for these final 30 minutes.

60 minSome decent play from Birmingham earns them a corner, which is easily dealt with by the hosts. This one is a little more open that Leeds would have liked, as they aim to cancel out that Gray opener.

62 minYELLOW CARD! David Davis catches Charlie Taylor with a late challenge to earn his side's first booking. A few shouts for a red from the home stands, but that was certainly not worthy of a dismissal.

64 minBIRMINGHAM CITY SUB! Jacques Maghoma replaces David Cotterill in the Blues' first alteration of the afternoon.

66 minYELLOW CARD! Play is massively disjointed at the moment, as Cook earns a booking of his own for a foul on Morrison. Leeds need to find so momentum again.

68 minA superb, last-ditch tackle from Berardi denies Donaldson the chance to burst through on goal. Antenucci is now on for Mowatt.

71 minCHANCES! This game has just burst well into life, with a number of chances in the space of 60 seconds. First, Cook saw his drive well pushed aside by Kuszczak, before City sprung a counter-attack and had men over. Donaldson failed to pick out a teammate, but Leeds could not clear and Kieftenbeld's weak attempt was stopped on the line.

73 minLeeds are currently knocking on the door in search of an equaliser, with both Dallas and Cook coming close to finding a way through



75 minLEEDS UNITED SUB! Sam Byram replaces Gaetano Berardi for the home side as we enter the final 15 minutes. This is a really entertaining spell in the game, but Leeds still cannot find a way past Kuszczak between the Birmingham sticks.

76 minBIRMINGHAM CITY SUB! Spector replaces Davis for the Blues, meaning a slight reshuffle. Leeds have used all their substitutions, but the visitors still have one more roll of the dice should they need it.

78 minAntenucci earns a corner when in a promising position, but the subsequent cross is easily headed away. Leeds now have the momentum that they were so desperately craving, so can they make the most of it in these final 12 minutes?

80 minBIRMINGHAM CITY SUB! Grounds sees his header kept out by Silvestri, as Birmingham make their final change of the contest. Viv Solomon-Otabor is on for goalscorer Demarai Gray.

82 minSome really good pressing from United, who really are closing in on a goal now. Antenucci just about got his foot to a ball over the top, but Morrison did enough to deny the forward making clean contact. Every Birmingham player looking to get back now.

84 minBirmingham deserve huge praise if they do see this one through, because it has very much been the classic away performance. It is set to be a very nervy finish at this rate, yet they appear to have seen out the worst of the pressure now.

86 minBirmingham will climb up to fifth if things remain this way, which is fantastic going by Rowett's men. Leeds, on the other hand, will head into the international break down in 16th place - not so great. Four minutes left for all that to change, but not a great deal happening at the moment.

88 minOn the basis of the last couple of minutes, Birmingham are just as likely to find the game's second goal as their opponents are. It is pretty end-to-end - not really sure who that suits!

90 minSome fine defending from Gleeson denies Antenucci a clean break through, as Leeds again have to settle for a corner. Bamba again got his head to it, but this time it was well wide.

90+1 minGOAL! LEEDS UNITED 0-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY (MAGHOMA)

90+2 minWell that settles it! Maghoma makes no mistake when latching on to a loose ball to maintain Birmingham's unbeaten away record and wrap up the points for his side. The substitute kept his cool to rifle a low effort past Silvestri.

90+3 minHuge disappointment for Leeds, then, who have now won just one of their last five meetings with Birmingham on home soil. More worryingly, they remain closer to the bottom than they do the top.

90+4 minFULL TIME: LEEDS UNITED 0-2 BIRMINGHAM CITY

4.58pmWell you have to say that was a superb away performance from Birmingham City, who remained disciplined throughout and plucked off their opponents to maintain this impressive unbeaten run away from home.

5.00pmDemarai Gray opened the scoring for the visitors shortly after the half-hour mark, before substitute Jacques Maghoma made certain of the points late on. Leeds had chances to level it up at 1-0, but they struggled to make any real clear-cut openings to ensure that they remain down in 16th place heading into the international break.

5.02pmWell that is all from me for this evening in terms of live text coverage, but be sure to stick around with commentary from the late Premier League kickoff still to come here on Sports Mole.

Leeds manager Uwe Rosler during the game with Reading on August 16, 2015
Read Next:
Preview: Leeds United vs. Birmingham City
>
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley382112561313075
2Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381914552351771
3Middlesbrough37217948232570
4Hull City37199950232766
5Derby CountyDerby381713851351664
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds381614856362062
7Cardiff CityCardiff38151494941859
8Ipswich TownIpswich381610124644258
9Birmingham CityBirmingham371511114135656
10Preston North EndPreston381314113635153
11Queens Park RangersQPR381215114743451
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves381212144651-548
13Leeds UnitedLeeds371114123745-847
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn381113143736146
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest381113143436-246
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38129175253-145
17Reading371112144243-145
18Brentford37127184859-1143
19Bristol City381110174058-1843
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham38116214462-1839
21Fulham38814165764-738
22MK Dons38910193251-1937
23Charlton AthleticCharlton38711203469-3532
24Bolton WanderersBolton38414203668-3226