Leeds United began their maiden Premier League International Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over a lackluster OGC Nice ‘B’ team.
The Whites, coached by head coach Michael Skubala, dominated the encounter in front of 3,738 fans at Elland Road, scoring two second-half goals to take all three points in their competitive debut.
The visitors had lost two and won one of their first three league games of the season. Nice II, as they are known in France, participate in the regionalised sixth tier and compete against senior clubs in their league, as opposed to Leeds’ Under-21s, who battle against age-mates in Premier League 2.
Charlie Allen of Northern Ireland broke the deadlock on 73 minutes, following up his own low attempt that had been parried by goalkeeper Bartosz Zelazowski.
Allen then turned provider 12 minutes later to seal victory for Leeds U21s in their first European match. Allen sprinted clear of Nice’s left-back after a one-two with second-half substitute Luca Thomas wide on the right wing, crossing into Sean McGurk’s path. The Merseysider took a touch before firing past Zelazowski from 12 yards out to seal the victory.
McGurk, an ex-Wigan attacker, has now scored five goals in seven games for Skubala’s U21s this season.
Leeds’ participation in the Premier League International Cup this season saw them drawn in Group A alongside seven other teams, three of which were English and four of which were international. The competition was designed to pit Category One academies in England against their continental counterparts.
The competition is overseen by the Premier League, therefore all matches are held in England, however Leeds are only scheduled to play four games during the group stage, against Nice (2-0), Sparta Praha, PSV Eindhoven, and Hertha Berlin.
The young Whites’ next match in this competition will be against Hertha Berlin on October 24 in York.
Klaesson (GK), Coleman, Monteiro, Mullen (Ferguson 71′), Hjelde, Crew (c), Gyabi, Bate, McGurk (Carole 87′), Allen (Debayo 87′), Douglas (Thomas 63′).
Christy (GK) was an unutilized sub.
