August 26 2008

The League Cup

Crystal Palace were dumped out of the Carling Cup after a 4-0 thrashing at League One Leeds.

Despite starting the brighter of the two sides, Leeds got their noses in front early on and never looked back to complete a comprehensive victory.

Palace's wantaway midfielder Ben Watson was given his first start of the season in place of the suspended Shaun Derry, while Eagles boss Neil Warnock handed Kieran Djilali his full debut.

Djilali had the first attempt on goal, forcing Leeds keeper David Lucas into a good save after Victor Moses got in a cross from the byline.

But with their first attempt on goal, Leeds went a goal up after 11 minutes. Jermaine Beckford flicked on a long ball and Jonathan Douglas beat the Eagles defence for pace before lofting the ball over Darryl Flahavan.

Palace hit back with snap shots from Johannes Ertl and Moses, while Beckford fired a strike that was easy at Flahavan. However, Beckford was becoming a threat and he doubled the home side's lead just past the half hour mark.

Flahavan had pushed out Neil Kilkenny's dangerous free-kick, but from the resulting corner, Beckford powered him his corner past the despairing arms of Flahavan.

Luciano Becchio, Fabian Delph and Kilkenny all tried their luck from range as Leeds ended the half in total superiority.

The Yorkshire side carried on from where they left off in from the first half and Becchio increased their advantage to 3-0 in the 52nd minute. The Argentinean rose highest to nod Frazer Richardson's cross which went in off the post.

Sub Enoch Showunmi should have added to the scoreline after being set up by Beckford, but hit his shot right at Flahavan. But with 14 minutes remaining, he made no mistake and got goal number four with a low curling drive to cap a miserable night for the Eagles.

Leeds: Lucas, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, White (Johnson 73), Hughes, Douglas, Delph, Kilkenny, Beckford (Howson 78), Becchio (Showunmi 57).

Not Used: Martin, Marques, Robinson, Snodgrass.

Palace: Flahavan, Ertl, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill, Soares, Watson (Fletcher 88), Carle (Hills 63), Djilali, Andrew, Moses (Ifill 66).

Not Used: Speroni, Thomas, Oster, Griffit.

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