Leeds continue good run
By Mark Townsend. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
Rob Hulse was again on target as Leeds beat Southampton 2-1 to claim a third win in four games and consolidate their fourth place in the Championship.
The home side scored twice within the first 19 minutes before the visitors, who had drawn their last eight games, hit back through 16-year-old Theo Walcott but they were unable to fashion an equaliser.
Hulse, who almost scored in the first minute, struck after just four minutes when he planted a firm header from a Gray Kelly free-kick past Antti Niemi.
Walcott and Ricardo Fuller proved a lively partnership for Harry Redknapp's men and the pair combined well after seven minutes but the youngster shot straight at Neil Sullivan.
Leeds doubled their lead after 19 minutes when Robbie Blake curled in a superb effort from 20 yards for his second of the campaign but the Saints soon hit back.
Walcott atoned for his earlier miss when he got the better of home skipper Paul Butler and dispatched the ball past Sullivan.
The teenager saw another effort sail narrowly wide after the restart before Blake almost made it 3-1 but his free-kick, awarded after Eddie Lewis was fouled, crashed against the upright.
Walcott, again, almost levelled after 73 minutes but he fired over from 12 yards after substitute Kenwyne Jones' shot was parried.
Saints midfielder Dennis Wise, who has been the subject of recent speculation over the manager's position at Elland Road, missed the game with a nagging foot injury.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Rob Hulse
