As ever with Leeds United there is a downside. A much needed 2-0 win against an Ipswich side on a good run of form, on-loan Jerome Thomas scoring the first and setting up the second but how much longer will he be in a white shirt?

Thomas was recalled to the side following a slight injury that sidelined him from last weekend's poor showing at Derby. The other change was Ross McCormack who dropped to the bench in place of El Hadji Diouf, fresh from agreeing a new deal that will keep him at Leeds until 2014.

Diouf caught the eye on the early exchanges that Leeds enjoyed the lions share. Having gone close twice and exposed Ipswich keeper Henderson's iffy handling, he set up the first for Leeds on 19 minutes, a perfect corner was headed goalbound by Tom Lees and Jereome Thomas flicked out a boot to steer it into the net.

Leeds should have cushioned their superiority before the break, Norris saw a header cleared off the line and Luciano Becchio was guilty of missing probably the easiest chance he has ever had put on a plate in his long association with the club when somehow he planted a header Sam Byram cross over the bar when all he needed to do was apply his forehead to the perfectly whipped in ball.

Ipswich clearly responded to the half-time team talk given by boyhood Leeds fan Mick McCarthy who is assisted by Terry Connor, another name who needs no introduction in the parts. For 10/15 minutes after the restart, Ipswich did the probing but although possession wise they were well on top, they seemed to create very little. Alan Tate gave another rock solid performance and even skipper Peltier, who has come under fire from sections of supporters myself included gave a much more assured display at left-back.

On 68 Leeds finally doubled their advantage, Diouf reacted quickest to a Tate clearance and in turn fed Norris who sent Thomas flying down the left flank, rather than aim a high ball to the advancing head of Becchio, the on-loan West Brom winger hit a low sweet pass with the outside of his boot and Paul Green smashed home his third goal in four matches.

Ipswich finally threatened to turn their possession into clear cut chances in the last ten minutes when Martin and Chopra forced match-winning saves from Paddy Kenny, but other than that and even with four minutes of mysteriously added time they never looked like providing the Leeds fans with the nail biting finales that we have endured in our recent home triumphs over Crystal Palace and Leicester.

Not a vintage performance, but all the attention post match was where does Jerome Thomas's future lie. The noises from the Hawthorn's this week have been that he was sent up north for some much needed match experience, he is still very much part of their plans and he may well be needed back as Peter Odemwingie is set to represent Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations in January.

So will his dalliance in a Leeds shirt be short but sweet?

Photo: Action Images

TimWhelan added 21:33 - Dec 15 I thought that Tonge and Norris should have given the back four a lot more support, as Ipswich kept cutting through our midfield with some good passing moves. It's a good job Kenny was on form and that they frequently let themselves down with a poor final ball. I would have brought Brown on a lot sooner. But all's well that ends well. And as you've already done the match report, that leaves me free to get on with the serious business of getting the pictures of Friday night's office party onto Facebook!

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