Leeds Player Ratings: Wigan 0 - 2 Leeds

Leeds United claimed three points and returned to the top of the Championship with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW stadium.

Leeds never looked particularly troubled and the game was even more comfortable following Joe Williams second yellow card after only 21 minutes. Patrick Bamford bagged a brace to take his tally to 3 goals in 3 league games.

The only disappointment was that the margin of victory should probably have been bigger, but that is a nitpick compared to what was a very solid win for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.

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 2 good saves and was far more confident when coming for crosses. His distribution was very good as well. Didn’t have much to do, but what he needed to do was impressive. 7/10

Stuart Dallas - He is a right-back at this point, looks completely comfortable in the role. Got up and down the right side well, defensively good, passed the ball well. 7.5/10

Ben White - The first time he has had any trouble this season was dealing with long balls up to Kieffer Moore - that will trouble any centre-back. Picked up a yellow card after a tangle with the aforementioned Moore. That this is probably his worst performance of the season - and it was this good - says a lot about the start to his Leeds career. 7/10

Liam Cooper - Much more dominant in the air than Ben White - very impressive in that regard from the captain. Solid as a rock in all other areas. 7.5/10

Barry Douglas - Passing from left-back seemed very incisive and was one of the reasons for Jack Harrison getting so much of the ball. Had a couple of shots again and looks to be getting closer to breaking his duck for the club. Got on the ball as much (if not more) than anyone and defended well when he needed to. Took the corner which lead to Bamford’s second goal. Looking more like the player we thought we were getting from Wolverhampton Wanderers. 7.5/10

Kalvin Phillips - Everything he needed to do, he did calmly and successfully. Wasn’t under pressure once Leeds had the extra man and used that time to spread the play around with ease - including some excellent long passing. Defended well on the ground and in the air when needed. 7.5/10

Adam Forshaw - Really imposed himself on the game. Was all over the pitch and with the positions he took up and the chances he got he will probably be disappointed not to get on the scoresheet. Unlucky to have his header tipped on to the post leading to Bamford’s first goal. He’s winning people over - and deservedly so. 8/10

Mateusz Klich - A little quiet at times but was full of running and put it an excellent cross for the first goal. Solid but unspectacular performance. 7/10

Pablo Hernandez - Not his best but still good. Continuously beat defenders with ease although some of these take-ons weren’t in dangerous enough areas to be truly effective. Denied by an excellent David Marshall save from a free-kick. Didn’t give the ball away as much as he has in previous games but he also didn’t seem to try as many “killer” passes as we have seen previously. 7.5/10

Jack Harrison - Really good. One of the only times I have seen him look more effective than Pablo Hernandez on the other side. A constant threat and his only disappointment will be not getting a goal himself. Made Wigan’s defenders look foolish on a few occasions. He still had a couple of issues with his end product but for me it is him or Forshaw for MOTM. 8/10

Patrick Bamford - Playing as a number 9 - scores a brace - always going to be good. Had lots of shots and looked really eager in and around the box. Two tap-ins but those goals were from the kinds of positions he has be criticised for not being in previously. Plenty of running and effort but has had better days with his passing. 7.5/10

SUBSTITUTES

Helder Costa (for Klich, 75mins) - Didn’t really get chance to show what he can do. Won a free-kick with a good run and passed the ball well around the Wigan box. N/A

Jamie Shackleton (for Forshaw, 90+mins) - Barely on the pitch for a minute. N/A