Leeds Player Ratings: Reading 0-3 Leeds United

Leeds United came out and rolled over Reading FC in one of the more dominant performances this season for Leeds.

Three goals in the first half, with two coming from Pablo Hernandez, meant that Leeds weren’t in very much trouble at all in the match. And while the game was much more even in the second half, it was still a good win for Leeds.

As usual, if you can tell me how wrong I am in the comments or on Twitter at @ThruItAllLUFC

STARTING XI

Kiko Casilla: Didn’t have a lot to do this match, but made the saves that he was called on to do. Didn’t have any heart-attack moments either, so was an overall successful match for the former Real Madrid keeper. 6/10

Luke Ayling: Had two assists in the game, one on the goal from Klich and one on the first Hernandez goal. Played well, although had a rash tackle in the first that resulted in a yellow card and was lucky to not see red in the second half, although it did look like former Leeds winger Mo Barrow made the most of the challenge from Ayling. Another good performance after putting in a MOTM performance against Bristol City. 8/10

Liam Cooper: When the Scotland side for the March friendlies was announced earlier today, a lot of Leeds fans wondered, and rightfully so, why Cooper’s name was left off. He’s been a vital part of the defence this season, and he had a good block after coming across the pitch to deny a scoring opportunity in the first half. 7/10

Pontus Jansson: Had a good game just like his partner in central defence. Made a good block in the final minutes to deny a shot just when it looked like Reading would finally be threatening. 7/10

Gjanni Alioski: Once again, Alioski had a good game down the left flank, getting up and down the pitch, covering on defence and combining well with Jack Harrison in the attack. Some of Leeds’ best performances this season have come with Alioski at fullback, so he’s probably going to stay out there. 7/10

Kalvin Phillips: Once again, was a rock in the middle of the park for Leeds. Snuffed out almost any danger that was created and did well to keep the ball alive on a number of different occasions. 8/10

Jack Harrison: Could have scored a goal in the second half, but the shot was directly at Emiliano Martinez, the Reading keeper. Made some good moves, even if he won’t show up on the score sheet. 6/10

Tyler Roberts: Is settling into the role as a creative midfielder behind the striker up top. Did well to pick out some dangerous passes, including one on the first goal which helped to set it up. Another good performer on the night. 7/10

Mateusz Klich: Had the opening goal after taking a great shot after Bamford’s brilliant dummy to leave him open near the top of the box. Took his shot very well, and it’s good to see him getting back to the kind of form he was in back in August and September. 8/10

Pablo Hernandez: A brilliant brace and would have had a hat trick if the ball had fallen just a little better for him on the rebound from Harrison’s shot in the second half that was parried by Martinez. Another classy performance from the Spaniard. 9/10

Patrick Bamford: Oh Patrick. Left his shooting boots at home, as he could have had a hat trick and probably should have scored at least one goal in the second half after a number of good chances, with two shots rolling wide and one shot that he just missed the ball. However, his dummy on the opening goal was sublime. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Stuart Dallas (56th minute for Ayling): Came on as a sub after Ayling had almost gotten himself sent off. Dallas wasn’t brilliant, but did his job well enough, as the match was pretty much over by the time he came on. 6/10

Jamie Shackleton (69th minute for Roberts): Made a few good passes and added pace to the midfield late in the match. His pass to set up Bamford was brilliant, and he should have added another assist to his stats as Bamford really should have converted the chance. 7/10

Barry Douglas (74th minute for Klich): Another late defensive sub for Marcelo Bielsa, with the match all over but the shouting at that point. Got a questionable card for a tackle, but did well enough to keep the clean sheet. 6/10