/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61455597/1025599740.jpg.0.jpg)
Leeds United ran out 3-0 winners over Preston North End at Elland Road. Leeds were the better side throughout and played some really excellent football, outside of a couple of sloppy spells in the 1st 10 minutes of each half.
FULL TIME: The referee brings the game to a close, and the Elland Road crowd rise to their feet in applause. 3-0 to #LUFC pic.twitter.com/gVMT4jfUcz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 18, 2018
A first half header from captain Liam Cooper was followed up in the second half by a Tyler Roberts brace, and in truth Marcelo Bielsa will feel we should have had at least a couple more goals.
Breakdown: Leeds 3-0 Preston.
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) September 18, 2018
A performance that justifies Leeds topping the Championship table. Some beautiful football on display, and the hosts could well have had six or seven tonight. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/6swdo7ZIFk
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 - Made a good early save from Callum Robinson and dealt with a couple of crosses well. Distribution was improved as well. Good clean sheet for BPF. There were a couple of balls he should have come out for but didn’t would the only thing to critique. 7/10
Another game goes by where BPF further cements his position as our long term no1 keeper. With everything that's going on its easy to overlook him atm. So impressed with this lad. So assured and composed. A leader but not a gob shite. Long may it continue. #lufc
— Daz (@hobsterlobster) September 18, 2018
Luke Ayling - Was sloppy during the opening 10mins but after that put in a really good performance. Linked up well with Kalvin Phillips in the build up to Leeds 2nd goal and linked up repeatedly with Jack Harrison. Played his part in what was a very good defensive display. 7.5/10
We were great tonight. What an absolute pleasure to watch. Ayling and Douglas surely the best full backs in the League. KP was immense, Pontus back to his best. Remarkable performance. Well done Leeds. Same again Saturday please #lufc
— Ryan Shaw (@ryanjshaws) September 18, 2018
Pontus Jansson - Jansson at his imperious best. Always in the right place and won his aerial battles consistently. Made several good interceptions and on top of his excellent defensive work he brought the ball out really well. Produced a couple of moments of skill to top off the performance. Could have had an assist but Alioski’s goal was ruled out for offside. Man of the Match despite strong competition today. 9/10
Pontus Jansson vs. Preston:
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) September 18, 2018
79% pass accuracy
69 touches
48 passes
7 aerial duels won
5 interceptions
5 clearances
2 tackles won
2 take-ons
1 blocked shot
An extremely classy performance from Pontus tonight. Virtually hoovered up any signs of danger throughout. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/McHkHn74eo
Liam Cooper - Had a good defensive performance but not as strong as Jansson’s in that regard. Got the opening goal with a header from a corner in the first half. More good work from the skipper. Should be back in the Scotland squad on current form. 8/10
Harrison, Saiz, Cooper and Jansson tonight, couldn't pick a motm between them, would be an injustice to do that. #LUFC
— Regan (@ReganHinds) September 18, 2018
Barry Douglas - Got beat more than Ayling on the other side but didn’t ever look in too much trouble. Got the assist for Cooper’s goal with a corner and produce an even better delivery in the 2nd half which could easily have been headed home by Jansson. 7.5/10
I know it came to nothing but that free kick delivery from Douglas was an absolute beaut! #lufc
— Alex Oldham (@alexanderoldham) September 18, 2018
Kalvin Phillips - Dominant display from Phillips. Got on top in the midfield battle and never relinquished his control on the match. Fantastic ball over the top to set up Tyler Roberts for his 1st goal. Very assured display. 8/10
That Phillips assist for Roberts first is stunning #LUFC
— Thomas. (@TommyLanc) September 18, 2018
Jack Harrison - His best game in a Leeds shirt. A constant threat and Preston never got to drips with him. Should have an assist when he played through Mateusz Klich for an excellent chance, and should have scored himself when he hit the post when clean through. Seems to have much more confidence following his goal against Millwall. 8.5/10
Just got in from the #LUFC game. @Harrison_Jack11 must be shattered! What a machine. My motm. 2 classy finishes from Roberts aswell...
— James Spence (@jspence1919) September 18, 2018
quality #MOT
Mateusz Klich - Left his shooting boots at home today but outside of that he had another very good display. Good cross to provide the assist for Roberts’ 2nd goal of the night. Excellent passing display and good in the tackle when he needed to be as well. Has to lose a bit of rating for missing two big chances, the first of which was a real “had to score” chance. 7.5/10
Tonight I will dream of Mateusz Klich playing delicious floated balls across the 6-yard box for me to nod home in front of the Kop. Bielsa watching on, silent but smiling inside. Beautiful. #lufc pic.twitter.com/IQC6KrDlEd
— Thomas Noble (@_Noble) September 18, 2018
Samu Saiz - Always a threat. Able to get on the ball in dangerous areas and provide a couple of really big chances for his teammates. Involved in the build up to the 3rd goal with the pass to Klich. There were a couple of times when he held onto the ball for too long would be the only real criticism. Put in some real effort when pressing Preston’s defenders on the ball as well. 8/10
Top marks all round, but tonight Saiz was unplayable. Unreal. #lufc #mot
— Gary Williams (@Gary_Player) September 18, 2018
Ezgjan Alioski - Had a goal disallowed for offside following a long ball from Jansson. Lowest score for a Leeds player today but he was not bad by any means. Worked hard and covered for Douglas well on the couple of occasions Preston got in behind him. Couple of decent efforts on goal. Some of his crosses were a little disappointing. 6.5/10
He blows hot and cold with his final product but Alioski's work rate is phenomenal #lufc
— AStod94 (@AStod94) September 18, 2018
Tyler Roberts - I am so pleased for Tyler Roberts. Hopefully this is a real confidence boosting performance for the Wales international. Looks far more of a threat through the middle than he did out wide. Wasn’t in the game massively in the first half but was tidy when he was. His first goal was an excellent finish to lob Declan Rudd with the ball bouncing ahead of him and his second goal was a simple header, taken confidently. Got a deserved standing ovation when leaving the pitch. 8.5/10
Brilliant Goal by Leeds Finished off by Roberts 2-0 pic.twitter.com/rgF5ecw7bh
— AztecGod (@AztecGodStreams) September 18, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
Stuart Dallas (for Roberts, 86mins) - Not on long enough. N/A
Adam Forshaw (for Klich 88mins) - Not on long enough. N/A
Lewis Baker (for Saiz 90mins) - Not on long enough. N/A