Leeds United climbed to the automatic promotion spots in the Championship after a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.
The game saw Pascal Struijk break Leeds’ corner-kick scoring drought with a powerful header in the 69th minute.
Substitute Mateo Joseph sealed the win with a late goal in the 89th minute, set up by Joel Piroe.
Leeds’ defense held strong, limiting Sheffield’s opportunities, while standout performances from Joe Rothwell and others ensured a dominant display for Daniel Farke’s side.
Struijk Breaks Deadlock
Leeds’ corners had been a challenge, but Struijk’s header from a Rothwell delivery finally ended that spell.
The Dutch defender’s solid performance not only brought him a goal but also gave Leeds the confidence to control the game.
Joseph Seals the Deal
Mateo Joseph, brought on as a substitute, added the second goal after a slick pass from Piroe, wrapping up a comfortable win.
His clinical finish left Sheffield without a chance to recover.
Player Ratings vs Sheffield United
- Illan Meslier (7/10): Didn’t have much to do but handled crosses well.
- Jayden Bogle (8/10): Dangerous on the attack, particularly in the first half, and defended solidly.
- Pascal Struijk (8/10): Scored a crucial goal and put in a solid defensive shift.
- Joe Rodon (8/10): Recovered from a shaky start to make important blocks and get the better of his opponent.
- Junior Firpo (8/10): Consistent both defensively and in attack, putting in some dangerous crosses.
- Ao Tanaka (8/10): Showed class on the ball and kept things solid in midfield.
- Joe Rothwell (9/10): Exceptional in his play, providing the assist for Struijk’s goal.
- Willy Gnonto (7/10): Worked hard throughout but couldn’t produce magic in the final third.
- Largie Ramazani (8/10): Gave the Blades a hard time with excellent control and first touches.
- Brenden Aaronson (7/10): Non-stop work rate but lacked finishing quality.
- Joel Piroe (7/10): Provided the assist for Joseph’s goal with a well-timed through-ball.
- Dan James (7/10, sub): Added danger on the counter-attack.
- Mateo Joseph (7/10, sub): Scored the crucial second goal and looked sharp.
- Manor Solomon (6/10, sub): Struggled initially but added some nice touches late on.
- Patrick Bamford (N/A, sub): Came on late, with little time to make an impact.
- Sam Byram (N/A, sub): Sensible cameo late in the game.
This dominant display solidifies Leeds’ ambitions for promotion and highlights several standout performances across the team.
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