31-07-10: Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 3-1 (HT 1-1) Crowd (12,979)

Programme:

United rounded off their pre-season build-up as they played hosts to the EPL team Wolverhampton Wanderers as team strength was increased by the signing of Alex Bruce from Ipswich Town but he was without Robert Snodgrass and Billy Paynter, who were both injured. Paul Connolly was restored to the right back spot in place of Andy Hughes, while Max Gradel started in place of Robert Snodgrass from the starting eleven that had won in Bergen. Nigel Miller of Durham was the Referee in front of a crowd of 12,979 and the Leeds starting line-up was Kasper Schmeichel; Paul Connolly, Neill Collins, Richard Naylor, Fede Bessone; Jonathan Howson, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson, Max Gradel; Luciano Becchio, Lloyd Sam. United had proved to be a free-scoring side in recent friendlies, but it was expected that the EPL side would provide the most searching of tests and so it proved initially as Richard Naylor was called upon to make timely clearances twice in the first ten minutes. It then became end to end with Jelle Van Damme doing well to clear a Lloyd Sam cross, whilst Steven Fletcher had a powerful shot blocked for Wolves. Jelle Van Damme conceded a free kick in halting Max Gradel's progress on the edge of the box. However, the first real chance fell to United as Neil Kilkenny got in a cross and Bradley Johnson's downward header fell for Luciano Becchio but he failed to connect from close range. It was another excellent delivery by Neil Kilkenny that resulted in Luciano Becchio being denied by the Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessy. There was a scramble in the home box from a Dave Jones corner when a Steven Fletcher header caused consternation. Bradley Johnson missed a good chance for Leeds as he shot wide after being put through by Luciano Becchio. At the other end Adlene Guedioura was just wide with a twenty-five yard snapshot in the twenty-third minute, and as Wolves kept up the pressure Kasper Schmeichel came to United's rescue after Matt Jarvis had latched onto a through ball from Steven Fletcher, but the keeper pulled off a fine save to keep out his strong shot. A Max Gradel cross from the right was headed for a corner. From that corner, taken by Neil Kilkenny, the ball was headed clear by Adlene Guedioura but only as far as the diminutive winger who promptly sent the ball into the net from twenty-five yards after thirty-three minutes. United continued to press for much of the remaining part of the half but Max Gradel shot wide and Lloyd Sam only just failed to find Jonathan Howson with his cross, but it was Wolves who were next to score. Just on the whistle for half-time, after Neil Kilkenny had fouled Steven Fletcher on the left, Matt Jarvis crossed the free-kick and his curling ball evaded everyone to creep inside the far post, although Sylvan Ebanks-Blake claimed to have got a touch. The second half saw the visitors have an early oppurtunity to take the lead but Kasper Schmeichel saved from a ferocious angled drive by Steven Fletcher. It was, however, United that took the lead four minutes after the restart when, after Max Gradel had made all the running, Lloyd Sam scored from his cross with a cheeky back-heel from six yard to make the score 2-1. Leeds continued the pressure and Wayne Hennessy could only save a shot from Luciano Becchio at the second attempt and then, after being played in by Max Gradel, Jonathan Howson was denied by the Wolves keeper. After an hour Richard Naylor suffered a thigh injury and after lengthy treatment on the touchline he was replaced by debutant Alex Bruce in the sixty-second minute and at the same time Shane Higgs took over in goal from Kasper Schmeichel and Davide Somma came on for Luciano Becchio. Wolves also made two changes at the same time with Steven Ward coming on for Jelle Van Damme at left back and David Edwards replacing Adlene Guedioura in midfield. Soon afterwards United were denied a penalty claim after Jody Craddock handled a shot from Lloyd Sam. Another appeal for handball was rejected and then Shane Higgs saved from Kevin Doyle as Wolves created a rare chance. Simon Grayson then made more changes in the seventy-sixth minute with Andy Hughes replacing Paul Connolly at right back, Leigh Bromby was on for Neill Collins in central defence, Mike Grella replaced Max Gradel, while Aidan White came on for Lloyd Sam. Once more Wolves took the oppurtunity to introduce fresh legs as they brought on two strikers, Kevin Doyle replacing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andrew Keogh in place of Matt Jarvis and Greg Halford came on at right back for Ronald Zubar. After eighty-five minutes Bradley Johnson rounded off the scoring to give United a 3-1 lead when he rose to meet a cross from the right and placed a strong downward header past Wayne Hennessy. This saw Wolves make their final substitution as Kevin Foley replaced Steven Fletcher, leaving Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, Right back Richard Stearman and left back George Elokobi unused on the bench. Shane Higgs was called upon to make a save in injury time but it did not change the fact that Leeds had comprehensively beaten an EPL team with relative ease to finalise their pre-season friendlies.