Leeds Player Ratings: Huddersfield 0 - 2 Leeds. Another huge win sees Leeds go top.

Leeds United belied their makeshift defensive line up to keep a clean sheet and get a 2-0 win away at Huddersfield Town.

A fantastic volley from North Macedonia international Ezgjan Alioski and a header from Pablo Hernandez from a Jack Harrison cross were enough for Marcelo Bielsa’s side to claim three points in this West Yorkshire derby, and to return Leeds to the top of the league.

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 - Excellent save to deny a Steve Mounie header in the opening 20 minutes followed by another, again from Mounie, from a corner. Got in all sorts of trouble from a long free-kick, coming for a ball he should never have gone for - rescued by a good Ayling block. Unbelievably good save on 64 minutes to deny a point blank header from Elias Kachunga. Came for a free-kick and was miles off getting there but a poor Karlan Grant header let him off the hook. Massive saves more than override the couple of errors. 8/10

Stuart Dallas - Had to do a lot of chasing with Leeds looking unsettled all first half, booked for a sliding tackle that he mistimed. Didn’t see much from him going forward compared to what we normally see. Visibly angry with teammates for not keeping the ball and allowing counter-attacks too easily. Should have had an assist for a Bamford goal but was given offside when he was a long way onside. Had a decent strike from distance with his left-foot. 7/10

Luke Ayling - Did one of the calmest chests back to the keeper you will ever see in the 11th minute. Good defensive work early on including an excellent block from a Juninho Bacuna strike. Did well to get a headed block after an error from Casilla. Second half, very little to report - just solid, in the air especially. 8/10

Gaetano Berardi - Struggled in the air against Mounie as you would expect and never looked comfortable in the first half. Passing left a lot to be desired. Much, much better in the second half where he looked more assured despite Huddersfield having a couple of good chances. 6.5/10

Ezgjan Alioski - Good early passing up the line to find Harrison and get Leeds up the pitch, work rate was there first half but not much else to say. Gave Leeds the lead early in the second half with a stunning volley from the edge of the box when a corner was headed out - a great goal. Produced a good cross soon after the goal for Bamford who should have done better. Played in Harrison down the left in the build to the second goal - a second assist as it is called in Ice Hockey (I think?). 8/10

Ben White - Spent a lot of time between the centre-backs early as Karlan Grant pushed up alongside Mounie. Looked less comfortable than usual with a couple of mishit clearances and passes. Definitely more of a third centre-back in the end. 6.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Hit the near post with a good strike from a low Pablo Hernandez corner, he was unmarked so probably should have done better. Committed a few fouls first half and picked up a yellow card. Some great chasing to win the ball just before half-time leading to chance. Solid second half before being replaced. 6.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Clever low corner early on for a Klich chance which hit the post. Had a few balls in behind that were very close to creating great chances but were defended well. Some of his passing and touches of the ball were sloppy by his standards. Curled a good effort just wide of the far post on a good Leeds counter attack early in the second half. Well timed run and a good header to score Leeds’ second goal. 7.5/10

Helder Costa - Not on the ball enough first half, did look dangerous when he did although some passing was misplaced. Right-footed effort late in the first half way over the bar but it was a difficult chance. Had another chance on the penalty spot in the second half that was a bit easier but he skied that one too. 6.5/10

Jack Harrison - Pressed well and worked hard but didn’t look threatening barring an early pull-back in the first half. Tracked back well when he needed to. Great pass to set up Hernandez on a counter attack which went close. Great cross to set up Bamford for a good headed chance. Fantastic cross to set up Hernandez for Leeds’ second goal. 7.5/10

Patrick Bamford - Had one early chance on his right-foot which he curled over, otherwise very isolated in the first half. Had a headed chance early in the second half but got it all wrong and it went well wide. Had a goal disallowed for an offside against Dallas but replays showed Dallas was a mile onside. Had another header just after the hour mark but was denied by a save from Grabara. Lead the line really well in the second half and was unlucky not to get a goal. 7/10

SUBSTITUTES

Eddie Nketiah (for Bamford, 76mins) - First touch was a pass to Alioski in the move for the second goal. Hold up play not as strong as Bamford. Not in the game enough to score for that 15mins. N/A

Olly Casey (for Klich, 84mins) - Not on long enough to score but really nice to see him make his first team debut. Only a couple of touches but found a teammate with them. N/A

Barry Douglas (for Costa, 87mins) - Not on long enough to score. N/A