Leeds United played hosts to Stoke City at Elland Road as the Whites looked to begin their season on a positive note. The home side started the match hoping to make a difference early on and got rewarded with a goal in the 15th-minute courtesy of Mateusz Klich. The Whites doubled their lead just before half-time which meant that they went into the break with a commanding two-goal advantage.
The second half began with both teams looking to score. The Potters were awarded a penalty in the 52nd-minute, and Benik Afobe made no mistake in converting from the spot. However, Marcelo Bielsa’s players responded immediately and got their two-goal lead back just four minutes later through Liam Cooper’s goal.
Both teams fought hard, but the match ended with the West Yorkshire club running away with a 3-1 victory on the day. Let’s see how each Leeds United player have performed during their encounter against Stoke City.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell – 7/10
The Leeds keeper made a few good saves but did not have much else to do during the game. He could not manage to save Afobe’s penalty and thus, did not have a clean sheet to show for his efforts.
Luke Ayling – 7/10
He had a good game versus the Potters and did his job well at right-back.
Gaetano Berardi – 6/10
The Whites centre-back made a few errors at the backline in the first half which could have cost his team, but he came back strong after the break and did well to see out the victory.
Liam Cooper – 9/10
He defended valiantly throughout the game and secured all three points by scoring the third goal which effectively killed off the tie.
Barry Douglas – 7.5/10
The new Leeds recruit was excellent throughout the match and got a lovely assist when his cross found Cooper.
Kalvin Phillips – 6/10
Phillips did his job quietly and shielded the Whites’ defence well. However, he was also guilty of giving away some cheap fouls in the second half.
Pablo Hernández – 8.5/10
Hernández was magnificent throughout the encounter down the right flank. He doubled the home side’s lead just before half-time and put in some inviting crosses for his teammates to feed on.
Samuel Saiz Alonso – 8/10
He delivered a telling ball to Klich who scored the opening goal of the game. Saiz put in another masterful performance at the centre of the park but ran out of gas in the end.
Mateusz Klich – 8.5/10
Klich scored the crucial opening goal of the contest when he beat the offside trap and dinked the ball over Stoke’s Jack Butland. He was the midfield general for Bielsa’s team and ran the show at the centre of the park.
Ezgjan Alioski – 8/10
The Macedonian linked up well with Douglas and was effective down the left flank. He also had a few shots at goal but lacked the end product.
Kemar Roofe – 6.5/10
He put in a tireless shift in front of goal and chased down every ball which gave an ideal platform for the Leeds midfielders to run riot.
Substitutes
Stuart Dallas – N/A
He came on to play the final quarter of the game.
Jack Harrison – N/A
Lewis Baker – N/A
