Leeds see off ten-man Bournemouth

I support Leeds United and I made my annual (sometimes twice a year) trip to Elland Road on Tuesday evening with my son. It's a 430-mile round trip up the M1 from where I live, and I'm involved with a local club down south, so it's not a trip I can make very often.

I felt the atmosphere around Elland Road was a little gloomy, and no real surprise there after four defeats in a row and only two goals scored in the previous six games. Equally, however, with plenty of goods for sale in the club shop being printed with 'The Past is the Past ...' it is evident that the club is trying to move on from the Ken Bates era, and that brings with it a new mood of optimism.

We sat in the huge East Stand (on the lower tier) with a superb view of an excellent playing surface.

The visitors for the game were Bournemouth who, likes Leeds, have had a troubled recent few years with points deductions, relegations and flirtation with demotion from the Football League. Last season, however, with the return of manager Ernie Howe, they were promoted from League One and have made a topsy-turvy start to the new season, but started the game above Leeds in the table.

Roared on by a 21,749 crowd, Leeds were, frankly, not very good. It was evidently not a confident team. In the first half an hour the game was fairly even, but nothing much happened. Then came the match-changing moment. Noel Hunt - who otherwise was extremely disappointing - burst into the penalty area and was brought down by Bournemouth goalkeeper Ryan Allsop. It was a penalty and Allsop was sent off.

Even then, however, it appeared Leeds could not take advantage as Ross McCormack's penalty was saved by replacement keeper Darryl Flahavan. But gradually the extra man began to tell as Leeds took the lion's share of possession. Seven minutes into the second half a beautiful curling cross from the left by Stephen Warnock was steered home by McCormack and the relief from the crowd was palpable.

Other chances were missed - some inexplicably - which gave Bournemouth hope and belief that a forward-looking gamble might pay off. And they were right as after 72 minutes a free-kick from ex-Leeds Ian Harte was not cleared and Lewis Grabban finished from eight yards to equalise.

Crowd frustration could have weighed heavily on the home side, but there was enough time left for them to gather themselves and mount purposeful - rather than desperate - attacks. With nine minutes left a half-cleared cross looped up to substitute Dominic Poleon who volleyed home sweetly from ten yards.

Leeds held on as Bournemouth had another go, and the home side claimed the three much-needed points and rose to 11th in the table. Overall, however, it is difficult to see this Leeds side making any significant impact on the Championship. Unless boss Brian McDermott can bring in some influential loan signings it looks like another season will drift by for the once-mighty Elland Road club.

South Coast stirring in League One

In League One the south coast is stirring. Brighton lead the way, with Southampton in third and Bournemouth in fourth place.

This weekend Bournemouth (40 points from 25 games) host the leaders Brighton (46 from 23). Gus Poyet started to stir Brighton in the latter part of last season and they have continued their good form into this season. Their last three games have been wins against two other south coast teams: Exeter City 2-1, in the league; Portsmouth 3-1 in the FA Cup; and another league win against Peterborough (3-1).

Bournemouth's recent form has not been quite as good: 0-0 at Rochdale, a 2-1 loss at Colchester United and before that a 3-0 against (another south coast team!) Plymouth Argyle. They have obviously not been helped by the upheaval and then departure of boss Eddie Howe, who has now taken over the reins at Burnley. Lee Bradbury has now taken over as boss at Dean Court.

Brighton, of course, are moving into the their new stadium at Falmer - The American Express Community Stadium - next season and they would be delighted if they were to do so in the Championship.

With an impressive record to date, you've got to fancy the Seagulls to edge it over the Cherries in tomorrow's game.