Barnsley 4 Leeds United 1: Departure of Butterfield leaves path clear for match-winning hero Vaz Te

So says Ian Brown and so says Keith Hill.

When Leeds took out Barnsley’s Jacob Butterfield, it could so easily have boosted their chances of winning this Yorkshire derby.

But Butterfield’s replacement, substitute Ricardo Vaz Te, was an even bigger thorn in their side.

Hill summed up the afternoon by quoting the lyrics of the former Stone Roses frontman.

“For everything a reason, Ian Brown said. Sometimes these things happen and it presented an opportunity for Ricardo,” he said.

The Portuguese striker scored a hat-trick as Barnsley ripped apart a Leeds side that looks in dire need of a shake-up.

It also completed a memorable league double over the men from Elland Road – just over a month after winning 2-1 on their patch.

Granted, the loss of winger Robert Snodgrass on the eve of the game was a massive blow to Leeds who are already missing captain Jonathan Howson.

But Leeds manager Simon Grayson refused to use that as an excuse for a performance he lablelled ‘embarrassing and shambolic’.

Grayson had shuffled his pack and employed striker Ross McCormack in the Snodgrass role with Finnish international Mika Vayrynen making a rare start and supporting Andy Keogh in attack.

Paul Connelly returned at rightback in place of Tom Lees (concussion) and there was a recall for Ramon Nunez in midfield with Danny Pugh switching inside alongside Michael Brown.

Barnsley had lost winger Jim O’Brien to a stomach injury so Scott Wiseman moved out of defence to fill the gap.

Hill dropped Vaz Te and defender Rob Edwards to the bench recalling Stephen Foster, Bobby Hassell, and loanee Miles Addison. But Vaz Te was not to spend long on the sidelines and finished the afternoon as a hero.

Butterfield – making his 100th appearance for the club – was sent crashing to the floor by an early challenge from Michael Brown.

The tackle from behind left Butterfield with damaged knee ligaments and Brown was extremely lucky to escape without a card.

Grayson offered words of comfort to Barnsley’s prized asset but there was no hiding the disgust in the player’s eyes.

The setback would indeed change the game but not, ironically, in Leeds’ favour.

Vaz Te had been on the field only two minutes when he planted a shot beyond Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan from the edge of the penalty area.

Until that stage, Leeds had been marginally the better side with both Keogh and Nunez going close.

The rest of the second half was a scrappy affair with Leeds seemingly intent on unsettling the home side but unable to sparkle.

Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele made a flying save to deny Nunez and Patrick Kisnorbo was nudged in the back by Barnsley’s Stephen Foster without any sign of a penalty. There was a nervy spell for the Tykes after midfielder Miles Addison surrendered possession at a free-kick.

Although Addison got back to concede a corner, it was a mighty relief to home supporters when Darren O’Dea eventually shot wide. Addison, on loan from Derby County, was playing his final game for the Tykes and overall his display was far better than in the majority of his other games.

Vayrynen was booked for a late challenge on Perkins but Barnsley kept their discipline and never got flustered.

Leeds, however, looked constantly ill-at-ease at the back and Davies should have doubled the lead before half time.

The options at Grayson’s disposal are limited and nothing improved when McCormack and Vayrynen switched roles at the start of the second half.

What Leeds really needed was a couple of quality centre-backs and two extra in midfield because their defence was folding like a deck of cards.

Kisnorbo’s inability to clear a ball set up a 51st-minute corner that allowed Barnsley to score again.

Done found Vaz Te unmarked at the far edge of the area and his drive was helped over the line by Davies.

Barnsley supporters now revelled in the scoreline, taunting their rivals with chants of ‘There’s only one team in Yorkshire.’

The agony intensified for Leeds as Davies curled home a peach of a shot from 25 yards.

“What the **** is going on?” they sang as Barnsley moved onto a chorus of ‘It’s Just Like Watching Brazil.’

There was still over half-an- hour to play and, by now, Leeds fans were focusing their anger on chairman Ken Bates, who was not in attendance.

Things got even better for Barnsley as Vaz Te completed his hat-trick. He took a long ball from Hassell before coolly slipping past a defender and tucking the ball home.

That he made it look so easy, said as much for his own talent as the state of the opposition.

“Bring on the Arsenal (in the FA Cup),” sang Leeds in mocking self-deprecation.

Although Leeds mounted a late push to get something, Barnsley were out of sight. Steele blocked a Kisnorbo header on the line and clawed a follow-up header from O’Dea onto the crossbar.

McCormack missed a simple opportunity before substitute Luciano Becchio grabbed a consolation with a header in added time.

For everything a reason? It could yet be nothing in a season if Leeds aren’t careful.

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