Leeds United continue hot start, thrash Burton Albion

Leeds United looked to continue their hot start to the 2017/18 season, and a home test against Burton Albion is one they were expecting to pass.

Our first game against the Brewers saw new boy Pierre-Michel Lasogga start up top, with Kemar Roofe playing on the wing. This meant that Gjanni Alioski was dropped from the bench. Could seem harsh, but then again, it’s Burton. Also on the bench, Paweł Cibicki. The new guy from Malmö will be looking to make his debut for the Whites.

Leeds started out on top and pressed early, but had no chances within the first ten minutes. Then, in rapid succession, Roofe and Samuel Sáiz had the first two chances of the game. Roofe’s shot was cleared off the line by Burton’s John Brayford, and Sáiz’s second attempt was denied by goalie Stephen Bywater. You could feel that Leeds were starting to smell blood at this point. Vurnon Anita headed a cross to an open Lasogga, whose volley was denied.

20 minutes in, and Eunan O’Kane was tired of the scoreline reading 0-0. The midfielder picked out a running Lasogga, who hit it first time with his left to get it past the keeper for a 1-0 lead. Prime Minister Lasogga had a great start to his first competitive match of 2017.

A bit of a scare 27 minutes in, as Anita went down off the ball needing treatment. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious, and Vurnon came back onto the pitch and carried on. Leeds continued their attacking ways, earning a corner thanks to a Kemar Roofe shot but couldn’t get anything out of it. The first yellow card of the match came in the 35th minute, as Kyle McFadzean took out Sáiz before he could start a counter-attack.

Kalvin Phillips wanted his name on the score sheet. In the 35th minute, Pablo Hernandez crossed to Roofe, who had his shot blocked but the rebound came out to Phillips who put it away far corner for a 2-0 lead.

I don’t get to do this often, but, FIRST HALF SUB ALERT! Burton decided to take off McFadzean before he got a red, getting replaced by Lloyd Dyer in the 38th minute. Must be nice, getting paid to play only 40 minutes of professional football.

Before the half ended, it really seems that the Whites were going to get another goal. Lasogga almost had a first half brace, his shot beating Bywater but couldn’t beat the post. His second attempt led to a corner, which led to a Leeds United penalty. Luke Ayling’s shirt was pulled, setting up Pablo Hernandez from the spot. A short run up see’s Bywater to the other way as Hernandez made it 3-0 Leeds before halftime.

What. A. First. Half. Leeds were rightfully dominant, and a 3-0 scoreline is deserved and could have been higher. The stat line to sum it up:

Leeds United fans got to have some fun at halftime, as they watched club legend Luciano Becchio play dizzy penalties. For those curious, he scored.

Halftime saw Vurnon Anita come off for Stuart Dallas. He needed treatment for his first half injury, and with Thomas Christiansen not having any fullbacks on his bench, it looks as if Dallas will play left back.

Leeds United continued their domination into the second half. Immediately, the club had a host of chances to almost get a goal from. A corner came to Dallas who launched a shot from the edge of the box but was denied by the keeper. Lasogga went one on one with Bywater not too long after, but the goalkeeper tipped his effort over the bar. Off that corner, Pontus Jansson very nearly got his name on the scoresheet, but his diving header went just wide.

Kemar Roofe was so close all day thus far and was determined to find the back of the net. So when he found daylight from 20 yards out? Back of the net for a 4-0 lead on a lovely strike.

Leeds made a sub shortly after, as Mateusz Klich came on for Eunan O’Kane in the 56th minute. The Polish international was involved shortly after coming on to the pitch, creating a chance for Lasogga whose shot was blocked by a defender. Not to be denied, Kemar Roofe made his way behind the defense in the 60th minute and found Lasogga who heads it home for a 5-0 lead.

The Prime Minister’s night was over shortly after his brace, as he made way for Jay-Roy Grot in the 62hd minute.

After a…ambitious shot from Klich and a chance by Grot, Burton Albion finally got their first shot of the game, came in the 75th minute and was nowhere near threatening.

Leeds United saw the rest of the game out, leaving Burton’s misery at 5 goals. Leeds were a class above their opposition today. I would have liked to see Paweł Cibicki make his debut today, but you can’t complain from what we saw from Lasogga, and Grot getting minutes too isn’t bad. I’d imagine if Vurnon Anita didn’t get injured, maybe Cibicki comes on. Still, 5-0 is 5-0. Oh, did I mention that we kept another clean sheet? Hell of a game played by the Whites, and they’ll be looking to continue their form against Birmingham City. This team is fun to watch. MOT