Leeds Recap and Ratings: Leeds 2 - 1 Blackburn. Bamford and Harrison goals earn Whites win.

Leeds United claimed a 2-1 over Blackburn Rovers in front of another big crowd at Elland Road.

A Patrick Bamford penalty and a Jack Harrison goal proved enough for the Whites to get a deserved win, despite Derrick Williams getting a goal back for the visitors.

Nothing happened for 23 minutes except for some sloppy passing from both sides, until Stuart Dallas struck the ball over the bar from the edge of the box having driven forward well.

Leeds were awarded a penalty on the half-hour. Luke Ayling broke in behind onto a Tyler Roberts through ball. Both Ayling and defender Ryan Nyambe seemed to miss the ball, but Nyambe’s miss seemed to result in a kick to Ayling. Had it been given against Leeds you would have said it looked a bit soft.

Patrick Bamford stepped up and calmly sent Brighton loanee Christian Walton the wrong way to give Leeds the lead.

Just five minutes later, Kalvin Phillips played an excellent long ball over the top. Patrick Bamford took an excellent touch to bring it down and play it inside for Jack Harrison who finished in off the far post with his right foot.

However, Leeds are still Leeds and don’t do it the easy way. A Stewart Downing corner was headed in by Derrick Williams. Set-pieces continue to be aweakness for Leeds, despite our tremendous overall defensive record.

Leeds finished the half with a couple of longshots from Stuart Dallas and Ben White but there were no more real chances.

The first real chance of the second half came after 50 minutes. Helder Costa with great work to beat three men in midfield before finding Jack Harrison on the left, but he shot over the bar.

Costa had another good driving run which resulted in a blocked effort from Harrison and Walton tipping away a driven effort from Liam Cooper just after hour mark.

A major worry for Leeds came after 70 minutes, Liam Cooper going off with an injury and being replaced by Gaetano Berardi.

Elland Road was getting nervous, but it was Leeds with the next real chance. Leeds countered from a corner. Substitute Pablo Hernandez and Bamford had some nice build up play to find Helder Costa, he played Jack Harrison in down the left but he slashed at his shot and pulled it wide.

Tyler Roberts then forced Walton into a good save with a shot from the edge of the area.= before Bamford volleyed a right-foot effort wide.

Blackburn were putting on some pressure towards the end with some balls into the box as Leeds dropped a bit deeper. However, this wasn’t leading to any chances and Leeds saw the game out well.

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

Kiko Casilla - First half, one easy claim of a cross. Not at fault for Williams’ goal. Had almost nothing to do second half and did it well. 6.5/10

Luke Ayling - Good run in to the box to win the penalty after half an hour. Solid defensively and played some really nice football, in particular he seemed to underlap and find space in central areas well today. Especially impressive as he was apparently ill throughout the week. 7/10

Ben White - More of the same in the first half. Calm in possession, stepped in well when needed, brought Leeds out when the opportunity presented itself. Second half, more of the same including one good tackle when Leeds got stretched late on. 7.5/10

Liam Cooper - Solid first half, although as leader of the defence takes some criticism for poor defending at a corner for Williams’ goal. A solid outing both defensively and on the ball. His injury is a worry and hopefully it isn’t too serious, Marcelo Bielsa should clear that up post match. 7/10

Stuart Dallas - Had the first real chance after 23 minutes when he struck over from the edge of the box having driven forward well. Good defensively but doesn’t seem as comfortable going forward when on the left. 6.5/10

Kalvin Phillips - Wonderful pass to find Bamford in the build to Leeds’ second goal. Tackled well and broke up play consistently, did well in the air when needed. Another good game. 7.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Solid first half. Solid second half. Didn’t give the ball away much. Great news that he has signed a new contract with the club. 6.5/10

Tyler Roberts - Good clip over the top to get Ayling in behind for the penalty. Lost the ball too easily in the middle which lead to the corner Williams scored from, the defending at the corner was the more egregious error though. Looked lively the whole way through and forced Walton into a good save in the latter stages of the game. Stole in to win possession well at times too. 7/10

Helder Costa - Had an ok half but not at his dangerous best or even close to it. Showed his best on 50 minutes when he beat three men in midfield and set up a chance for Jack Harrison. Had another similar run on the hour mark. Not consistent enough lately but starting to show glimpses. 6.5/10

Jack Harrison - Excellent finish in off the far post with his weaker foot to put Leeds 2-0 up, continuing his recent run of goal involvements. Had a few wasteful moments again in the first half. Skied a good chance early in the second half. Missed another one late in the second half. His good run continues but he should have done better with his second half chances. 7.5/10

Patrick Bamford - Not in the game much before it but stepped up confidently to put Leeds 1-0 up from the penalty spot. Five minutes later provided an excellent assist for Jack Harrison to put Leeds 2-0 up. Lead the line well as usual and kept the ball well but some of his link-play wasn’t as chance creating as usual. Seemed tired in the last 15 minutes. Also, was offside to an amount that would make Ezgjan Alioski jealous. 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Gaetano Berardi (for Cooper, 71mins) - Did a solid job filling it at the back. 6.5/10

Pablo Hernandez (for Costa, 81mins) - Not on long enough. N/A

Leif Davis (for Harrison, 93mins) - Not on long enough. N/A