Priest blesses football club... and it wins for the first time in eight months

Midfielder Alex Mowatt scored the only game of the match, meaning United claimed their first victory on home turf since March.Reuters

After eight months without a home win, Leeds United beat Cardiff City 1-0 on Tuesday, all thanks – according to club chairman Massimo Cellino – to a Catholic priest.

Cellino, a devout Catholic and known to be very superstitious, called on the services of Monsignor Philip Moger of St Anne's Cathedral in Leeds after his had team failed to secure a win at Elland Road since March 4.

Mgr Moger blessed the centre circle and dressing room at the Leeds ground with holy water, an age-old Catholic custom.

His prayers seem to have worked.

Midfielder Alex Mowatt scored the only goal of the match, meaning United claimed three points on home turf – and ended three decades of losses against Cardiff.

Despite the apparent divine-intervention, there's been no word yet on whether Mgr Moger has been asked back to bless Elland Road ahead of United's next home game against Rotherham on November 21.