Leeds United clashed heads with Rotherham United earlier today looking to claim all three points from the New York Stadium. The Whites made an underwhelming start to the game and conceded a goal in the 28th minute when Semi Ajayi scored from long range. However, the away team found a way back into the game in the second half courtesy of Mateusz Klich’s finish in the 51st minute.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men pushed on in search of a winner and managed to find the back of the net once again through Klich’s smart finish in the 86th minute. The Whites hung on to claim maximum points from South Yorkshire as the match finished with a final score of 2-1 in favour of Leeds United.
Let’s take a look at how each Leeds player performed during the match against Rotherham United.
GK: Kiko Casilla – 6.5/10
The Leeds goalie did well to restrict Rotherham to just one goal on his debut. He got cautioned late in the game but did enough to see out the win.
RB: Luke Ayling – 7/10
He was a good outlet for the Whites down the right flank and won a lot of freekicks during the match. Ayling also got two good opportunities to score but was wasteful with his attempts.
CB: Kalvin Phillips – 6.5/10
The makeshift centre-back was guilty of giving away some cheap fouls in the first half. However, he came back and put in a strong shift after the half-time break but got cautioned late in the game when Leeds were defending their narrow one-goal lead.
CB: Liam Cooper – 7.5/10
He kept his composure under pressure and defended his box well to deny Rotherham from scoring in the second half.
LB: Ezgjan Alioski – 7/10
He was always looking to join in on the attack down the left wing and had a few attempts at the Rotherham goal. However, his efforts failed to trouble the home team. It was an adventurous performance from him nonetheless.
CM: Adam Forshaw – 6.5/10
The English midfielder did the dirty defensive work while operating as a holding midfielder and to his credit, he also earned a few free kicks to help his side retain possession and get a stranglehold in midfield.
RM: Jack Clarke – 6/10
The Whites winger struggled to make an impact in the game and was substituted at half-time.
CM: Pablo Hernández – 8/10
The Spaniard was always looking to cook up opportunities for his teammates and was a creative force for Leeds in the second half. He seems to have enjoyed his role out in the wide areas so a lot of credit should go to Bielsa for changing his position after the half-time break.
CM: Mateusz Klich – 9/10
The Polish talent scored two goals on the day which was enough to secure a win for Leeds at the New York Stadium. He earned the man of the match award, and Leeds fans would hope that he can maintain the same level of performance every week.
LM: Jack Harrison – 7/10
He tested the Rotherham keeper with shots from range and worked hard for the Whites down the wide areas.
ST: Kemar Roofe – 6/10
He initially struggled to get into the game and was left isolated at times. However, to his credit, Roofe worked his socks off for his side up top and never gave up fighting for any loose ball.
Substitutes:
ST: Tyler Roberts – 7/10
He got into some good positions in the second half after coming off the bench at half-time and looked a real threat inside the Rotherham penalty area.
CM: Jamie Shackleton – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
LB: Leif Davis – N/A
He came on to run the clock down for Leeds in injury-time.
