Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leeds: Bielsa's side continue their bright form with win over Yorkshire rivals

Second-half goals from Gjanni Alioksi and Pablo Hernandez were enough to secure a 2-0 victory for Leeds over Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town, in what was a tense affair.

It was a make shift defence for Leeds United as Marcelo Bielsa made two changes to the side that started in their 4-0 win over Middlesbrough at Elland Road last Saturday. Gaetano Berardi replaced Liam Cooper at centre-back while Alioski played at left-back, meaning recognised centre-back Ben White replaced the suspended Kalvin Phillps in defensive midfield.

Leeds came close to opening the scoring 15 minutes into the game when Mateusz Klich got on the end of a Pablo Hernandez corner, but his low shot ricocheted off the right-hand post.

Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was then called into action for Leeds five minutes later, as Mounie's dipping header forced Casilla into a fingertip save to send the ball over the bar, keeping the score at 0-0 heading into half-time.

The visitors wasted very little time to get going in the second-half, and they got their noses in front five minutes after the break. Hernandez's corner was headed out as far as Alioksi on the edge of the box, who volleyed the ball through a crowd of people and into the back of the net to give Leeds a 1-0 lead.

Alioski firing Leeds into a 1-0 lead

And the Whites almost found themselves 2-0 up shortly after when Jack Harrison played through Hernandez, who then cut in onto his right foot and curled a shot just wide of the right hand post.

Leeds did have the ball in the back of the net again on the hour mark though when Klich played a looping ball over the top of the Huddersfield defence into the path of Dallas, who's cross from the right side of the box was met by Patrick Bamford who headed in, but Dallas was wrongly ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.

Huddersfield almost found an equaliser shortly after that, but Casilla came to the rescue again for the Whites as he made a superb save to keep Kachunga's close range header from going in.

But Leeds did manage to double their lead ten minutes from time. A quick counter attack was finished off when Jack Harrison's perfect delivery from the left was met by Pablo Hernandez at the far right post to head home.

Pablo Hernandez celebrates after making it 2-0 to Leeds

The Terriers came close pulling a goal back soon after though when striker Karlan Grant, who already has eleven goals to his name this season, headed just wide from a free-kick. And a few moments later Huddersfield had Casilla beaten with Daly's shot from distance, but his effort rolled just wide of the left post.

Marcelo Bielsa's side managed to hold on and secure a 2-0 victory, their sixth consecutive win, extending their unbeaten run to nine games. For Huddersfield, their poor run of form continue's Danny Cowley's side have now game five games without a win (2D 3L). Leeds United though now sit one point clear at the top of the Championship table, with West Brom hosting Swansea City on Sunday.

Match information

Huddersfield Town vs. Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

Saturday 7th December 2019

The John Smith's Stadium

Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1): Grabara, Duhaney, Schindler, Stankovic, Hadergjonaj, Bacuna, Hogg, Koroma (Harrat 72'), Kachunga, Grant, Mounie (Daly 83'). Unused Subs: Coleman, Edmons-Green, High.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla (GK), Dallas, Ayling, Berardi, Alioski, White, Costa (Douglas 87'), Hernandez, Klich (Casey 85'), Harrison, Bamdord (Nketiah 76'). Unused subs: Miazek (GK), Hosannah, Gotts, Clarke.

Referee: Gavin Ward