Leeds Player Grades: Bristol City 0-1 Leeds United

Leeds United saw off the challenge of a top-six side in Bristol City and kept the 100% record after scoring first this season as Patrick Bamford’s early goal was enough to see Leeds win and go back into the automatic promotion spots.

Here is how the players did, and as usual, you can tell me how wrong I am in the comments or on Twitter at @ThruItAllLUFC .

STARTING LINEUP

Kiko Casilla: Had a few moments that would have caused the average Leeds fans a few moments of panic and possibly heart trouble, but otherwise had pretty good match and kept a clean sheet. Nearly got himself sent off after the Bristol City player he confronted fell down like he’d been shot, but the referee either didn’t see it or wasn’t interested. I almost dinged him for coming off his line so much, but he makes it work. 7/10

Luke Ayling: Played a brilliant headed ball for the assist for Patrick Bamford’s goal. Did well to try to push forward, and did well enough on defence. Starting to look like the Ayling of old. Probably the man of the match with his assist pushing him over the line. 7.5/10

Liam Cooper: Had a fairly quiet game, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Saw yellow for a challenge in the first half, but otherwise was pretty solid in defence. Could have connected a few more passes in the first half, but otherwise a solid game from the captain. 6/10

Pontus Jansson: Had a right battle today with Bristol City forward Famara Diedhiou. Never saw yellow despite some heavy challenges, and otherwise wasn’t called upon too much to be dominant in the air with only two corners for Bristol City. 7/10

Gjanni Alioksi: As usual, never stopped running, but perhaps wasn’t as dominant as he was against West Bromwich Albion. His brilliant pass into Ayling created the game’s only goal, and was even booked for time-wasting after he took about a minute to line-up a free kick, only to walk away and let Barry Douglas take the kick instead. Linked well with Jack Harrison throughout the match. 7/10

Kalvin Phillips: Took a knock in the first half, but was winning everything in midfield up until that point. Still had a great game in the middle of the park, preventing the Bristol City midfield from linking with the forwards. Good day at the office for the former Leeds Academy player. 7/10

Jack Harrison: Did well to create a few chances, but could have had a hat trick if he had packed his shooting boots. Probably should have turned at least one of those chances into the back of the net, but did do well to create as well. Would easily have been MOTM had he converted a chance. 7/10

Mateusz Klich: A quiet game from the Poland international, but he was pretty decent when the ball was played to him. Not necessarily a passenger by any means, but was still the obvious choice to come off for Berardi when going to three at the back. 6/10

Tyler Roberts: A good game from the forward, although not nearly as dominant as he was at home against West Brom last week. Like Harrison, should perhaps have had a goal or two if he’d packed his shooting boots. 6/10

Pablo Hernandez: Another good, if quiet, game from the veteran. Did well to create a few chances and did well to track back when Bristol City was on the attack. Helped Leeds to maintain possession, but not at quite the same level as his best performances. 6/10

Patrick Bamford: The big striker pushed through an injury after he slammed into the post after scoring the opening goal. Didn’t have a brilliant game after that, but his goal was the difference, and he took his chance very well under pressure from both a Bristol City defender and their keeper Max O’Leary. Was taken off in the second half, and probably should have been subbed at half time. 6/10

SUBSTITUTES

Stuart Dallas (57th minute for Bamford): Played well on the wing and helped defensively to shut down Bristol City in the final few minutes as they piled on the pressure to try and draw level. Didn’t make as much of an impact on the game as you would have liked, but still did well enough. 5/10

Barry Douglas (75th minute for Harrison): Was brought on to help defend, and did just that, although he did get booked for a handball. Wasn’t his best game, but did well enough. 5/10

Gaetano Berardi (83rd minute for Klich): Wasn’t really on long enough to rate, although I think every Leeds fan was waiting for him to headbutt someone. Good to see him back on the pitch. N/A