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Redfearn boosts job chances with Capital gain

Neil Redfearn boosted his chances of being in-charge next season as Leeds pulled off a smash and grab raid in west London. Fulham were punished as their attack led by two former Leeds favourites squandered a host of opportunities before Sam Byram, Sol Bamba and Mirco Antenucci struck to keep them in danger of a double-relegation.

However Fulham could and should of been home and dry before Byram, back from injury nodded us into the lead late in the first-half. Much to the delight of the travelling fans, former favourite Ross McCormack fluffed a sitter on six minutes. The travelling fans like the majority of Leeds supporters are an unforgiving bunch as far as the Scot is concerned, his £11m move to west London still rankles even though it was an astonishingly shrewd bit of business by Massimo Celino.

However our owners' disposal of Matt Smith for just £500,000 still puzzles me. I thought Smith fitted into our attack perfectly and his aerial presence has been missed this season. Fresh from a successful loan-spell at Bristol City Smith nearly provided more regret our way at letting him leave so cheaply with headers on the 12th and 19th minutes.

Then Smith thought he'd turned provider for McCormack, however much to the delight of the Yorkshire contingent in the crowd the Scot's goal was ruled out for offside.

However with half-time beckoning Fulham were felled by a sucker-punch, Berardi at left-back who seems to be coming into the team nicely at this late stage of the season superbly won the ball and pinged over a cross for Byram to nod Leeds in front.

If that was bitter for the Cottagers to swallow then just two minutes after the interval, their evening got worse as Fulham failed to deal with Mowatt's corner and Sol Bamba headed home his first goal in Leeds colours.

Then they were reduced to 10-men on 53 when Konstantios Stafyldis lashed out at Byram. his second yellow of the evening.

Although it sparked a mini-reaction from the hosts, Tunnicliffe and Smith guilty of squandering further chances Leeds joy was sealed when Mirco Antenucci, heavily linked with Norwich in the past week or so, was on as sub and volleyed home his first goal since November with a minute of normal time remaining.

Most fans will hope Antenucci will be here next season, the same surely applies to Neil Redfearn who's current deal expires at the end of the season? Redfearn revealed after the game that despite the uncertainty over Cellino's future he has been asked to draw up pre-season plans by the club hierarchy which is an encouraging sign, however with nothing drawn up on paper typically there is a nagging doubt that Redfearn will not be around to build on the much-needed stability he has brought to the club and yet another soap-opera is on the cards.

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