I predicted excitement at the AMEX Stadium on Friday night, and the contest between Brighton and Leeds duly turned into a thriller. However, despite the six goals in total, one key prediction did not come to fruition.
CHECKLIST (pre-game expectations):
Over 2.5 goals - Check
Leeds pose real attacking threat - Check
Craig Mackail Smith to make impact - Check
Leeds to score a crucial goal late on - Check
Leeds to avoid crucial defensive errors and win - FAIL
Talk about coming close. The visitors were 2-0 to the good before half an hour had been played after Ross McCormack had doubled Andy Keogh's early strike. That lead was maintained comfortably into the second half, before the madness descended upon the United defence. First, Craig Mackail-Smith was allowed to move into the box to cut the deficit in half with a cool, low finish across the goalkeeper. Then, soon after, Leigh Bromby dived in for no real reason on Mackail-Smith in the box - setting up a penalty that Ashley Barnes converted in the same efficient fashion as he did against Liverpool on Wednesday.
At 2-2, Leeds were shell shocked after having three points seemingly locked up. Worse was to come for the travelling supporters when Mackail-Smith tapped in from close range late on to seemingly secure the win for the hosts. However, McCormack grabbed a second late in injury time to grab Leeds a point at the death.
A hideously frustrating night for Leeds backers - especially those of us who turned down the draw-no-bet option, only to see Leeds do exactly as I suggested they might and push on to score a goal at the death that would change the game. On a night that should have seen profit, Leeds could not escape from themselves, and defensive errors blew the away victory for them.
Summary of Bets
One loser: Brighton v LEEDS 1pt @ 13/5
One winner: Over 2.5 goals 1pt @ 8/11
Total Loss: 0.27 points
Total Loss for season: 2.21 points
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