Match Recap: Leeds rampant in 3-0 at Stoke

Leeds United roared to victory once again, keeping a third consecutive clean-sheet in the process. Marcelo Bielsa’s men top the Championship tree following a 3-0 thumping of Stoke City, who get their chance at redemption on Tuesday night at Elland Road in the League Cup.

The first-half was started well by the Whites, with Mateusz Klich forcing a decent save from range ten minutes in. However, it would be a scrappy first half, with only a few shots coming in, most from outside the penalty area. Hernandez came close, plucking the ball out of the sky, turning onto his right foot. His strike toward the bottom right corner was saved, hitting Bamford’s knee and eventually falling to Klich, but his shot was well blocked on the line.

Leeds made the crucial breakthrough late-on in the half, as the pressurised Federici sliced his kick. Forshaw won the duel before finding Harrison who found Hernandez - A fantastic ball inside found Stuart Dallas, who raced past James McClean on the right hand side, before stroking the ball home with a first-time finish to end the first 45’ in the lead.

Leeds continued the momentum in the second half and started brightly. In the 50th minute, Leeds doubled the lead. Following a quick free kick on the near side, Hernandez played a one-two with Klich 25-yards from goal. Before advancing the move by finding Bamford on the right channel. Bamford turned toward the by-line before finding a wicked ball across goal to Alioski at the back-post.

Bamford made it three ten minutes later as Hernandez played a lovely ball from the halfway line straight through to Alioski. His shot was saved by Adam Federici but Patrick Bamford, having been brought down on the edge of the area, got straight back up to lash the rebound into the far bottom corner with a great volley.

Stoke had been finished off but Leeds could’ve scored more, with Forshaw latching onto Nketiah’s ball in, Federici denying him with a great save before Shackleton was unable to get control of the rebound, his shot going wide. Helder Costa came close following a one-two with Alioski on the edge of the area, but the shot flew just past the post after another Federici save.

Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images

Another crucial three points for the Whites, a clean-sheet and three goals to celebrate tonight.