Leeds United 3 Bristol City 1: Hat-trick hero Becchio wins Grayson praise

TO the adoring masses who chant 'he cost less than Berbatov but scores more goals' whenever Luciano Becchio steps on to the pitch, the prospect of the striker leaving on a free next summer is an unpalatable one.

So, those supporters can be cheered this morning by the news that the 26-year-old striker whose contract is due to expire next summer wants to stay at Leeds United and help the club back into the Premier League.

Fresh from scoring his first hat-trick in English football as United moved back into the play-off places, Becchio reaffirmed his commitment to the club he joined for a bargain 50,000 from the Spanish Second Division in the summer of 2008.

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He said: "I want to stay here. I want to live here. My agent has spoken with Leeds and I want to stay here.

"I am ready to sign a new contract. Of course I see Leeds going into the Premier League and I want to be part of that."

Becchio's words will cheer a group of supporters who know from bitter experience just how painful watching their club's star striker leave for nothing can be.

Jermaine Beckford's free transfer to Everton last summer may have come after his 25 goals had helped Leeds secure automatic promotion from League One.

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But that did little to ease the frustration felt by fans who had been hoping to see Beckford spearhead United's attack on their return to the second tier.

It is why the Elland Road faithful are so anxious that history does not repeat itself next year when Becchio's existing deal is due to expire.

For that threat to be averted, there will have to be a successful conclusion to talks that, according to manager Simon Grayson, are set to resume this week.

He added: "You want to keep your best players and he fits into that category. Scoring a hat-trick has probably increased his negotiating rights.

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"He has been battered from pillar to post in the last few games playing as a lone striker so I felt he needed a breather and started him on the bench.

"We certainly reaped the rewards of sending him on just after the hour. He was there in the right place at the right time and fully deserved his hat-trick because he has worked ever so hard since he has been here."

There can be little doubt that the 18-minute hat-trick that brought a first home win for Leeds in five attempts will have strengthened Becchio's position.

Two bullet headers and a predatory finish after David James had been unable to hold a stinging shot from Lloyd Sam underlined just what a valuable asset the Argentinian has become.

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It also proved enough to claim a victory that powered Grayson's men up to fifth in the table, their joint-highest placing this season.

United were full value for the win with even a first half that ended goalless seeing former England international James by far the busier of the two goalkeepers.

The 40-year-old was first called into action in the tenth minute when neat link-up play between Jonny Howson and Neil Kilkenny created an opening for Davide Somma, who unleashed a fierce left-foot drive that veteran James did brilliantly to turn away at full stretch.

James was then on hand to keep out a mis-cued clearance by Louis Carey rolling into the Robins' net, while he also found time to keep out a viciously swerving Max Gradel effort.

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At the other end, United's goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had just one major moment of concern in the opening 45 minutes when he had to react smartly to keep out a shot from former Huddersfield Town striker Jonathan Stead.

After the break, James continued to be busy – though it took the introduction of Becchio from the bench just after the hour to bring a breakthrough as the Argentinian expertly guided Robert Snodgrass's right wing cross into the net.

The response of Bristol City, who had arrived in Yorkshire on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, was impressively swift with it taking just 116 seconds for the visitors to equalise through Stead.

George McCartney was culpable, the left-back stumbling to allow Albert Adomah to get away down the flank before centering for the former Terrier's striker to score.

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On a day when the crew of HMS Ark Royal were at Elland Road, it was perhaps inevitable that one of the leakiest defences in the Championship would be unable to get through the afternoon unscathed.

Any fears, however, that United would be denied the win were then allayed when Becchio's restored United's advantage on 70 minutes by rolling the ball past James after England's World Cup goalkeeper had beaten away a Sam shot.

This time, there was to be no way back for the Robins as Becchio completed his hat-trick six minutes from time with another expertly-taken header after being picked out by McCartney's intelligent run and cross.

It was enough to seal a first home win since Sheffield United had lost a dour Yorkshire derby at Elland Road on September 25 and leave Becchio's team-mates hoping an agreement can soon be reached over a new contract for their star striker.

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Defender Alex Bruce said: "There is a funny saying in football about doing your talking on the pitch and everything else will take care of itself. A lot of Championship games can be in the balance. Everyone wants a finisher – that's why they get paid the most."

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Luciano Becchio

Reacted in admirable fashion to being dropped to the bench by coming on and netting his first hat-trick in English football. Leeds must pay the striker what he is worth.

Villain: Danny Rose

Left Leeds for a seven-figure fee despite never having made a first-team appearance after feeling his career would be best served at Spurs and the home fans predictably jeered his every touch.

Key moment

84th minute: Such has been United's lack of defensive stability this season that a one-goal lead never feels enough so nerves were only eased once Luciano Becchio had headed his hat-trick.

Ref Watch

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Phil Crossley: Poor display from an official who missed a blatant penalty when Lloyd Sam was hauled to the ground.

Verdict

An entertaining game as Saturday football returned to Elland Road for the first time in seven weeks. Leeds deservedly claimed the points.

Quote of the day

Some days, you can have your 50p head on and a header goes in Row Z – a bit like a couple of mine did, to be fair...

– Leeds defender Alex Bruce explains why some days his headers don't go straight.

Next game

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Norwich City v Leeds United; Saturday November 20, 2010; Championship.

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