Middlesbrough 1 Leeds United 2: Becchio nets Whites winner

To those whose loyalties lay with United, the sentiment expressed in a song that was the A-side to the much more familiar Marching On Together is as true now as it was when written almost 40 years ago.

Should, however, opinion ever be canvassed as to which is the favourite away venue for United fans then chances are Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium will take some beating.

In nine visits to the banks of the Tees, Leeds are yet to lose with this latest triumph, achieved courtesy of superb finishes from Davide Somma and Luciano Becchio in each half, being the third time they have travelled back down the A19 towards West Yorkshire with all three points.

It is an enviable record and one that, for all Boro's endeavour in a hard-fought second half, never looked being brought to an end on Saturday evening.

With Amdy Faye bringing some much-needed order and control to midfield and Jonny Howson having his best game of the season, Leeds controlled proceedings for long periods.

Somma's seventh goal of what is shaping up to be a breakthrough campaign for the South African in English football ensured they deservedly led at the break.

Kris Boyd may have brought Boro level seven minutes after the restart but it was the visitors who went on to claim the points courtesy of a sublime finish from Becchio just after the hour.

The Argentinian then hit the upright with a thunderous, swerving effort that was followed by Leeds closing the game out by playing keep-ball in the corners for much of the final 10 minutes.

It was an impressively polished effort from United, especially considering the mess they had made of trying to hold on to precious points in their two previous games – the now infamous 6-4 home defeat to Preston and a 2-1 reverse at Ipswich where a red card for Alex Bruce and some poor defending had handed Roy Keane's side a late win.

Manager Simon Grayson was a pleased man at the final whistle after watching his 100th game in charge end in a second away win of the season.

The 40-year-old, who offered support for under pressure Boro manager Gordon Strachan after the final whistle, said: "I thought we showed that lessons have been learned from previous games. We looked like a side who had learned how to deal with the situation.

"It may have been boring to watch at times, as we took the ball into the corner. But, to me, that trait showed we have learned from mistakes made in the past.

"This is a big result for us. The players Middlesbrough have means they are always going to create chances but I thought we responded well after conceding the equaliser. It was a quality finish from Luciano."

Grayson's assessment of the quality within the Boro ranks may, on this evidence, have been a tad generous.

Certainly, the home side offered little to explain why the bookmakers made Strachan's men such strong favourites to win promotion before a ball had been kicked this season.

Lacking pace up front and drive in midfield, Boro look set for a long, hard winter.

For Leeds, the outlook is much brighter – though, in terms of their longer-term prospects, a serious promotion challenge come the Spring may well prove beyond them due to a defence that again failed to convince.

A more mobile partnership than Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald, for instance, would surely have caused a creaking back-line more problems.

That aside, however, there was plenty to enthuse those who follow United up and down the country – not least the blossoming partnership of Becchio and Somma.

Both worked tirelessly throughout, Somma even dropping into midfield for the closing stages as Grayson switched to a 4-5-1 formation to keep Boro at bay.

More importantly, the pair also displayed the predatory instinct that suggests goals are not going to be a problem for United.

Somma's strike on 12 minutes was typical of the form he has shown since returning from a loan spell with Lincoln City at the end of last season, the South African expertly guiding the ball beyond Jason Steele in the Boro goal after Sanchez Watt's cross had been deflected into his path.

It was a fine finish, though one that would ultimately be outdone by Becchio's own volleyed effort on 63 minutes when he met Bradley Johnson's cross sweetly to score off the inside of the post.

Becchio's fifth goal of the season came after Boro had drawn level when Boyd stole a march on Richard Naylor to turn Matthew Bates's cross past Jason Brown. Boyd's close-range strike raised hopes among the home faithful that it might just be the night when their side claimed a first derby win on home soil over Leeds since the then-league champions were thrashed 4-1 at Ayresome Park in 1992.

In the end, however, it was not to be as United's liking for the Riverside continued to ensure Elland Road really will be the place to be tomorrow night when Sven Goran Eriksson's Leicester City come to town.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Amdy Faye

Such was the control and order the former Senegal international brought to the Leeds midfield, it was hard to believe the game was only his second in 14 months. Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma got the goals but it was Faye who laid the foundations.

Villain: Gordon Strachan

At least in the eyes of the home fans who made their feelings clear by chanting for the Boro manager to go. The only crumb of comfort for Strachan was the visiting fans singing their support of a man who led Leeds to promotion and the league title in the early Nineties.

Key moment

63rd minute: Luciano Becchio's crunching tackle on Matthew Bates saw the ball find Bradley Johnson, who looked up before picking out the Argentinian who did the rest with a sublime volley.

Ref watch

Chris Foy: Impressive display from the Premier League official. Tried to keep play moving as often as possible.

Verdict

By no means a classic but Leeds deservedly took the points thanks to two goals of the highest quality. United's defence remains a huge worry, however, with better sides than Boro likely to exploit a general lack of mobility in the back four.

Quote of the day

You're Leeds and you know you are – The 4,075 travelling fans tell Gordon Strachan they believe they know where his true allegiances lie.

Next game

Leeds United v Leicester City; tomorrow, 7.45pm; Championship.

Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough; tomorrow, 7.45pm; Championship.

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