Another Leeds Player Ratings: Sheffield United 0 - 1 Leeds United

Leeds United prevailed in a fierce Yorkshire derby away at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United, and won at the ground for the first time since 1992, while Sheffield United rode out a number of poor challenges and shirt-pulls without a single red card shown, only to be undone by a total meltdown at the back.

The whining from Chris Wilder during the press conference notwithstanding, it did certainly appear that the ref let the game get out of control early, as the Sheffield United players attempted to just bully their way into a result. However, at the end of the day Leeds were able to get a good win away from home to take them, at least temporarily, on top of the league.

(Editor’s Note: I wrote these up because I thought Jack wasn’t going to be able to, but he did, but I’m publishing mine anyway. Go ahead and make fun of me and ask why I’m tougher on the players than Jack is)

STARTING XI

Bailey Peacock Farrell, GK

Had some nervy moments, including missing a ball after jumping for it and not coming out for a cross that lead to a chance on net. Made a couple saves, but nothing spectacular. Was absolutely bailed out by the crossbar on Conor Washington’s overhead kick in stoppage time as he had no idea where the ball was on that entire sequence. 5

Stuart Dallas, RB

Has been getting better playing at right back. Still not as good as Luke Ayling, obviously, but is starting to understand where he is supposed to be on the pitch and getting back defensively. Had a number of good plays on the offensive end as well. Saw him marking David McGoldrick on a corner, but hey, it all worked out. 7

Liam Cooper, CB

Was injured after less than 20 minutes on the pitch. Leeds were under siege during those first few minutes, but did fine to stop them and h is absence had nothing to do with Leeds getting on the good foot. 6.5

Pontus Jansson, CB

Played as well as you would expect, and did well to marshal the defence in the absence of captain Cooper. Got his head to most clearances from dead-ball situations and did well defensively to keep the Blades off of the score sheet. 8

Kalvin Phillips, CB

Phillips, once again, was a revelation playing from the back. Did well as not a natural central defender, but once again looked as if he’d been playing the position for years. Was the choice by many as MOTM after the game. 8

Barry Douglas, LB

Attacked well down the left, and did a good job defensively. A few of his free kicks probably should have been a tad better placed, but otherwise a solid game from the entirety of the Leeds defence. 7

Adam Forshaw, CM

Forshaw did a lot of work that wasn’t especially flashy, and his contribution isn’t going to show up the same as the wingers or forwards, but he did do a good job of settling down the midfield after the initial burst from Sheffield United. 7

Mateusz Klich, CM

His goal scoring has seemed to dry up lately, but that could be because teams are starting to pay more attention to him and he’s not getting the space he got at the beginning of the season. Had a good shot on goal in the second half, but otherwise was fairly quiet. 6

Pablo Hernandez, RW

Took his time and did well to get the only goal of the game after Jack Clarke squared the ball for him. Did well on the attack early in the game, and at least one or two of his dead-ball deliveries were pretty good. Did well on the press to disrupt a lot of the movement from Sheffield United after the first 20 minutes or so. 7.5

Gjanni Alioski, LW

Continued his string of games where he has looked poor. Is a willing runner, but otherwise didn’t contribute very much at all. He does do a good job of tracking back, but was offsides (again) and just seemed to misfire offensively. 5

Kemar Roofe, ST

Looked most likely to score until the shambles at the back for the Blades. He did well in the box defensively on set pieces, and came close to scoring a few times. Adequate performance, and such has been his performances this year that he seemed to be a little out of the game despite playing pretty well. 6

SUBSTITUTES

Aapo Halme (21’ for Liam Cooper)

Always a tough task coming in and playing as a substitute for Cooper and against two experienced strikers as Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick. Acquitted himself well, and looked like he’d played more than a single senior appearances for Leeds. Almost opened the scoring from a set piece, but Sheffield United Dean Henderson did well to get to the shot. Calmed a lot of nervous Leeds fans with a steady performance. 7

Jack Clarke (45’ for Alioski)

Made a difference attacking almost right away once coming in. Everything seemed a little smoother with him on the pitch, and at this point you have to wonder what he has to do to get a chance at starting over Alioski. Did a great job to chase down the errant back-pass from Egan that led to Henderson’s bad turnover, and did well to square the ball for Hernandez’s goal rather than try for glory himself. 7

Jamie Shackleton (90’ for Hernandez)

Wasn’t on long enough to really make an impact, but it’s interesting to note that all three substitutions for Leeds were teenagers. N/A

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