Leeds Player Ratings: Leeds 2-1 Swansea

Leeds United produced a much improved performance to win 2-1 against Swansea City at Elland Road.

Goals from Pontus Jansson and Jack Harrison gave Leeds a comfortable lead which Leeds should have extended on a few occasions.

Oliver McBurnie got a goal back from the penalty spot but Leeds were able to see the game out and results elsewhere meant that Marcelo Bielsa’s side returned to the top of the league.

For a full recap of the game - read Ciaran’s piece here.

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 - Made one good save from Connor Roberts and did well to cope with a few awkward back passes. Passed the ball around well at the back, but could have done better with his long kicking. 7/10

Luke Ayling - Much improved on his previous two performances for his 100th game for Leeds United. Was able to get forward in a more effective manner and his passing was better. Made a few good tackles as well. Did still have some loose touches. Excellent cross-field ball to find Alioski in the build up to the second goal. Has to lose a full point for a really stupid tackle to give Swansea a penalty when the player was going away from goal and causing Leeds no danger whatsoever. 6/10

Pontus Jansson - Colossal. Won the ball in the air repeatedly, won the ball in the tackle again and again. Read the play brilliantly to make lots of interceptions. Brought the ball out from the back effectively and never seemed to give the ball away. Topped the performance off by getting the very important opening goal with a very good left-foot finish. An excellent performance on his birthday and a definite winner of Man of the Match. 9/10

Liam Cooper - Overshadowed by Jansson but still a very good performance. Good in all the areas that Jansson was great in. 8/10

Ezgjan Alioski - Excellent cross to set up Harrison’s goal, although his crossing overall wasn’t good enough as too many hit the first man or found the keeper’s hands (a criticism of the team overall too). Defended well and as always put in a an excellent shift in terms of workrate. 7.5/10

Kalvin Phillips - On most days would claim the MOTM award but just landed behind Jansson for me. Excellent, all-action display which showed exactly what he brings to the team. Excellent passing and his recovery of possession was very impressive. Not faultless as there were a couple of missed tackles but that is being really harsh. Tremendous to see him back in his best role. 8.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Kept getting on the ball in good areas and was a constant danger. Would have liked his execution to be a little better though. Some good defensive work although there were a couple of moments where he lost track of his man in dangerous areas. 7.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Was very good in possession and helped maintain Leeds’ control of the contest throughout the first half, constantly finding space to be an option for a pass. Started to fatigue in the second half and will probably benefit from Leeds break in fixtures. 7/10

Kemar Roofe - Still adapting to the change in role but I think Roofe deep with Bamford up top is the best way going forward. Some more excellent movement and was a major factor in why Leeds pressed Swansea so well for 80 minutes. Another who passed the ball well and looked dangerous throughout. 7.5/10

Jack Harrison - Really good header for Leeds’ second goal and that could prove very important by the end of the season. Far less error prone than in a lot of his previous appearances and showed why Bielsa has kept faith with him. 7.5/10

Patrick Bamford - Fouled constantly but barely got a decision from the referee. Doesn’t look match sharp as yet and missed a really good headed chance from a Hernandez cross. He’s getting there. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Tyler Roberts (for Bamford, 71mins) - His introduction wasn’t great for Leeds’ momentum and often the high-press (which had been so successful all game) seemed to struggle when it got to be Roberts’ turn to go. Was good when on the ball though and always looks dangerous in and around the penalty area. 5/10

Jamie Shackleton (for Klich, 77mins) - Almost made an immediate impact with a good pacy run and pass which Kemar Roofe could not finish. Provided plenty of industrious play in the midfield but wasn’t as cool in possession as the man he replaced. 6/10

Leif Davis (for Hernandez, 90mins) - Couple of clearances but not on long enough to score. N/A