Leeds United 3 Blackpool 1: Redfearn’s faith in youth reaps reward

But Neil Redfearn provided an exception after Saturday’s victory over Blackpool, likening the impact of Leeds’s talented young players to that made by ‘the class of ‘92’ at Old Trafford.

Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook, who dominated midfield, and Sam Byram added to their reputations, admittedly against a limited Blackpool side, who headed into the game boasting just one away win in a year.

The trio, alongside the likes of Adryan and goalscorers Souleymane Doukara and Mirco Antenucci, hit the heights in an irresistible first-half show which yielded three goals with the advantage by no means flattering.

New head coach Redfearn has declared that he will not shy away from continuing to field United’s young guns and, as it stands, there seems mileage in his philosophy.

Redfearn said: “These young players are really coming to prominence. It is unusual that you get so many coming in at once. The Manchester United side of the Nevilles and all of them, perhaps they are having an impact like that.

“They are a big influence and I look at them as the mainstays of our side.

“Cooky was outstanding, he never let Blackpool of the hook. That was down to his positioning and his passing.

“Mowatt was the best player on the pitch the other night and played well again and Sam Byram looked more like himself. They are coming good at the right time.”

Urged to be bold and make things happen in their quest to end their alarming eight-match winless streak, Leeds adhered to Redfearn’s advice from the off.

A fine eighth-minute strike came from an unlikely source in Liam Cooper, who lashed home his first goal for United in impressive fashion, and a sublime team goal finished off by Doukara doubled the advantage on 31 minutes.

The seal on an outstanding first half was provided by Antenucci three minutes before the break and while the second half was low-key, with visiting substitute Nile Ranger heading home Jacob Murphy’s corner, it was Leeds’ afternoon.

Reflecting on his goal, Cooper said: “It was brilliant, probably one of the proudest moments of my life so far. I used to think I was David Beckham as a kid. But I just hit it and hoped for luck and you could tell by the celebration I do not score too much.”

Leeds United: Silvestri, Byram, Cooper, Pearce, Warnock, Cook, Mowatt, Bianchi (Tonge 70), Adryan (Austin 64), Doukara, Antenucci (Sharp 89). Unused substitutes: S Taylor, Berardi, Del Fabro, Dawson.

Blackpool: Lewis, Lenihan, Daniels, Clarke, Dunne, Blackman (O’Hara 17), Perkins, Lundstram (Mellis 69), Orlandi (Ranger 45), Murphy, Miller. Unused substitutes: Parish, Cywka, Zoko, Delfouneso.

Referee: S Attwell (Nuneaton).

Man of the match: Lewis Cook.