Table-toppers draw a blank
MARCELO BIELSA’S distinctive blue bucket may be a leading fashion item in these parts right now.
But there will not be too many fans with footage of last night’s stalemate on their football bucket lists.
Both teams remain unbeaten and will still occupy the top two places whatever happens this weekend. But the action fell way short of the hype – frantic and feisty but lacking the flowing football that has seen Leeds and Boro emerge as early pacesetters.
Leeds’ old boys Jonny Howson and Adam Clayton were the key figures in an even first half. First Howson came close to breaking the deadlock with a curled shot that keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell beat away, then Luke Ayling’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Clayton.
Bielsa, above, had described Tony Pulis as
LEEDS M’ BORO
a genius and the Boro boss was just as fulsome in his praise of his foe. Clearly the pair had done their homework with the two sides cancelling each other out. Boro had won their last six games and, as they sought to make it seven, a long throw saw Daniel Ayala’s header tipped over the bar. Stewart Downing fired too high after the break, before Jack Harrison was equally awry for the hosts.
And Ayala, who scored a last-gasp winner for Boro against West Brom last week, twice went close in the dying minutes.
But while the bookings count mounted – four players from each side were cautioned – the goal dial was stuck on zero.