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Leeds United 4 Hartlepool United 1: Beckford and company prove invaluable assets
League One THE message rang around Elland Road loud and clear. Leeds United will sell their key players at their peril.
Not that chairman Ken Bates has any plans to part with goal-scorers Jermaine Beckford, Fabian Delph and Luciano Becchio during the transfer window, but that did not stop the fans from chanting "Not for sale".
After nearly a month without a goal, Beckford made it a nap hand within a week. He collected a hat-trick in the FA Cup replay at Northampton and expertly headed home Andrew Hughes' cross after 15 minutes against Hartlepool. Beckford's finishing was equally clinical when Hughes again provided the opportunity late on.
What a week, too, for Delph. He made his England Under-21 debut on Tuesday, celebrated his 19th birthday on Friday and scored a peach of a goal as Hartlepool were roundly beaten.
Becchio goes from strength to strength as the perfect foil for Beckford. The Argentine's goal, which followed a long ball from David Lucas, helped on by Beckford, was reward for a typically robust and unselfish display.
Hartlepool sometimes exposed Leeds's defensive frailty, their 26th-minute equaliser, headed home by Joel Porter, should have been stopped.
Malcolm Christie was denied a league debut by a rib injury which is expected to clear in time for the league visit to Northampton tomorrow night.
Leeds United: Lucas; Hughes, Michalik, Telfer, Parker; Robinson, Prutton, Douglas, Delph; Beckford, Becchio (Snodgrass 76). Unused substitutes: Ankergren, Richardson, Kilkenny, Howson.
Hartlepool United: Lee-Barrett; Sweeney, Nelson, Collins (Humphreys 85), Robson; Brown, Jones, Clark, Monkhouse (Liddle 85); Kyle, Porter. Unused substitutes: Budz, Foley, Mackay.
Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).
Man of the match: Jermaine Beckford.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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