Leeds Player Ratings - Leeds 3 - 0 Norwich

Leeds United returned to the top of the table with an impressive 3-0 win against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Goals from Mateusz Klich, Ezgjan Alioski, and Pablo Hernandez meant that Leeds ran out comfortable winners. Having been working nights I watched the full 90 minutes after I already knew the result. Imust say, it’s very weird watching Leeds without nerves.

Time now to look at each player and how they performed. As always you can tell me how wrong I am @mightywhitespod or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.

STARTING LINE-UP

Bailey Peacock-Farrell - A good early claim from a corner, followed by quick distribution to set up a counter attack. Came for a Moritz Leitner free-kick and dropped it towards the end of the first half. Good save to push away Pinto’s effort from the Norwich right at the end of the first half. Made a good low save late on to keep the clean sheet. 7/10

Luke Ayling - Another game where I could copy and paste parts from previous performances at right-back. Captained the side in Cooper’s absence. Didn’t really have to make any tackles because he was so good at stepping in to make interceptions. Drove forward well when the opportunity was there. Looked so much more comfortable than he did at centre-back. A good performance in a good win results in an excellent birthday for him. 7.5/10

Pontus Jansson - A couple of good blocks early on. Then an excellent challenge to deny Teemu Pukki when he was put through on goal. Leeds have done very well in his absence but it is great to have him back, and on today’s evidence, back towards his best. 8/10

Gaetano Berardi - Caught out by Pukki’s run before Jansson got Leeds out of trouble. Stepped out of defence with the ball well and was very tidy in possession. 7.5/10

Barry Douglas - Defensively sound, and more of the play went through him than Ayling which hasn’t often been the case this season. Good ball into Roofe in the build up to the Alioski goal and he got the assist on the Hernandez goal with a good pass inside, although Hernandez still had an awful lot to do. Got up and down the left side all game excellently. One of many very good performers on the day. 8/10

Kalvin Phillips - Back to his pre-Swansea performances. Metronomic in possession and did well in the air and in the tackle when necessary. Made a tremendous sliding block to deny Pukki from the edge of the box. Excellent defensive header to get the ball out for a corner with Jordan Rhodes ready to pounce just behind him. Showed his commitment with the best block of the game in the 94th minute to deny Tom Trybull and preserve the clean sheet. 8.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Wonderful lofted pass to find Alioski in the build up to Klich’s goal. Got on the scoresheet himself with a curling effort from the corner of the 18-yard-box with the type of finish you would probably consider his “trademark” at this point.

Passing was really good, particularly in attacking areas. He made a few tackles as well. Excellent performance, Man of the Match. 9/10

Mateusz Klich - Able to get involved in attacks far more than he could against Swansea. Some nice interplay between him, Saiz, and Hernandez in the opening exchanges. Did really well to remain composed for his goal. On a rebound like that it would have been easy to just “put his foot through it” but he picked his spot and side-footed it, very good finish. Was very involved all game and it’s yet another performance that makes it hard to understand Thomas Christiansen’s decision to freeze the Poland international out of his plans. 8/10

Samu Saiz - Involved in a lot of good play but didn’t get the final ball right often enough today. Had a good left-footed chance early in the second half but only found the side netting. Could have had an assist as well when he put Alioski in on goal with 10 mins to go, his shot just after the save was blocked well when goal bound. Still a good performance but not at his best. 7/10

Ezgjan Alioski - Good header to force Tim Krul into the save which Klich followed up for his goal. Very well struck shot to score at the near post and double Leeds’ lead. Improved in every department from the Swansea game. Could have had a second goal when put through on goal by Saiz but was denied by Krul. Were some questions over whether he would remain in the starting XI, not after today’s performance. 8/10

Kemar Roofe - Didn’t get the goal he has got used to recently but provided a very well-judged through ball to set up Alioski’s goal. As always, excellent work rate to keep pressure on the Norwich defenders. Good headed clearance from a couple of yards in front of the line to deny a Tom Trybull header. Could have had another assist if Saiz had taken his chance early in the second half. 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Patrick Bamford (For Roofe, 77mins) - Game was over by the time he was on, had a couple of efforts but nothing much to say. Will be hoping to make the most of the start (I assume) he will get on Tuesday in the League Cup against Preston North End. N/A

Jack Harrison (For Hernandez, 79mins) - Not on long enough. N/A

Lewis Baker (For Saiz, 90mins) - Not on long enough. N/A