Leeds Player Ratings: Bristol City 1 - 3 Leeds

Leeds United began the league campaign with an excellent 3-1 at Ashton Gate against Bristol City.

Leeds were dominant for 75mins before dropping off a little at the end. By that time goals from Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford, and Jack Harrison and given Leeds a 3-0 lead before Andreas Weimann pulled one back for the hosts.

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 - Opened up by turning Famara Diedhiou in the Leeds penalty area. Missed the target with his first 3 aerial passes out from the back. Came off his line well to intercept when Andreas Weimann looked to be through on goal. Flapped at an O’Dowda cross which was very poor, but did make a good save immediately afterwards. Beaten at his near post for the goal but it did take a deflection. Came out and made a very good catch from a corner, getting a boot from Matty Taylor (of broken nose fame) in the process. Then, came out 12 yards for a cross and got nowhere close to it. 6.5/10

Stuart Dallas - Sliced a wild left-foot effort out for throw-in. Was tidy for the opening half hour but did get beat far too easily by Callum O’Dowda on one occasion. Made some decent headway down the right without doing anything spectacular. Then made a great break down the right to set up Mateusz Klich - his shot fell to Jack Harrison for Leeds’ third goal. 7/10

Ben White - First half. Neat, tidy, always in the right position. Excellent defending to deny Diedhiou from a Weimann cross early in the second half. Got out of any trouble he ever found himself in and maintained possession excellently. 8/10

Liam Cooper (c) - Made a good early interception to prevent a through ball going through to Andreas Weimann. Two good clearance and a block in the space of 30 seconds when Jack Hunt got in down the Leeds left. Just like White, excellent on the ball. A good central defensive performance from both. 8/10

Barry Douglas - Decent ball in after 15mins which Bamford was able to flick towards goal but it wasn’t something you describe as a “chance”, followed by another 5 minutes later than was intercepted well with Bamford waiting. Got caught out a couple of times defensively. Had a bit of a struggle dealing with any pace down that side. 6/10

Kalvin Phillips - Gave the ball away sloppily in the Leeds half early leading to free-kick in a dangerous area that was easily saved by Casilla. Put Hernandez through down the right with a fantastic long pass, and Leeds probably should have got more from it. Got Harrison in down the left with another excellent lofted ball. Dropped in as a 3rd centre-back and looked very comfortable despite giving away one needless free-kick. 7.5/10

Adam Forshaw - Good lofted through ball to give Bamford an early chance. Had a left-foot effort blocked from the edge of the box following a good pass from Pablo Hernandez. Simple pass into Hernandez for the opening goal. Chased back well to make a good clearance after Callum O’Dowda got in down the Leeds right. Went close from the edge of the area after a nice lay-off from Hernandez. Had another strike dragged wide after good link-up with Mateusz Klich. Good performance, hardly gave the ball away. 7.5/10

Pablo Hernandez - Not as involved as you would like early on, set up a chance for Adam Forshaw. Put Leeds 1-0 up with a fantastic left-foot finish from the edge of the box. A top quality strike. Had another effort saved from a tight angle. In the first half his passing wasn’t at his best but he still looked dangerous.

Second half, started with a sloppy touch as Leeds tried to break and picked up a yellow card having got the wrong side of Kasey Palmer. Then, skinned O’Dowda down the Leeds right and produced the perfect cross from Patrick Bamford to make it 2-0. Did some really goo Started the move for Leeds’ 3rd goal as well. Poor on the Bristol City goal, gave the ball away badly in midfield and then didn’t get within 3 yards with his challenge. Our biggest threat, will be important to keep him fit this year. 8.5/10

Mateusz Klich - Had a quiet first half, where he didn’t get on the ball in enough dangerous areas. Linked up well with Forshaw to create a decent chance for the ex-Middlesbrough man, followed by having a decent effort blocked from the edge of the box. His shot was blocked to set up Jack Harrison for Leeds’ 3rd goal. 7/10

Jack Harrison - Played a part in the build up to the opening goal and got in some good positions. A bit reticent to try and beat a man, something he has been more confident with in pre-season. Set up a good break with a lung-busting run that got Leeds 60 yards up the pitch. Couple of occasions in the first half when he didn’t chase back with Jack Hunt, as Leeds mark man-to-man he has to stick with the opposing full-back.

Got off the mark with a simple finish following up Klich’s effort and it was good to see him making a mark so early in the season.Looked more of a threat in the second half where he was able to get in behind but couldn’t get the final ball right at first, did set up Klich for a decent effort from the edge of the box. 7/10

Patrick Bamford - Had Leeds’ first chance from a Forshaw ball over the top but he dragged his volley wide. Some good hold up play but not as threatening as you would like in behind during the first half. Chased well throughout, winning the ball at both ends of the pitch. Got on the scoresheet with good header from a Pablo Hernandez cross, he took the goal very well. 8/10

SUBSTITUTES

Helder Costa (for Klich, 76th min) - Had one good run but nothing major to report. N/A

Ezgjan Alioski (for Douglas, 79th min) - Not much to do. N/A

Leif Davis (for Harrison, 85th min) - N/A