Championship football is finally back after weeks of absence due to the international break and Leeds United, who were enjoying a great run of form under new gaffer Thomas Christiansen, were hoping to keep the momentum up with a victory over Saturday evening opponents Burton Albion at Elland Road. The Whites, however, did it in the most spectacular way as they secured a thumping 5-0 win against their opponents and close the gap with league toppers Cardiff City.
Below are the Leeds United players rated from the game.
Felix Wiedwald: 7
The German custodian registered his fifth consecutive clean-sheet. This one, however, has to be the easiest of all as he did not make a single save throughout the game. Impressed with his outing and distribution skills.
Luke Ayling: 8
The right-back kept on making forward runs and participated in a number of attacking movements down the right-hand flank.
Liam Cooper: 7.5
Maintained his defensive composure and posed threat from set-pieces in Burton’s box.
Pontus Jansson: 8
Held the shape of his defensive unit and was impressive with his ball skills and passing traits. Made a few routine blocks, interceptions and clearances.
Vurnon Anita: 6.5
The veteran Dutchman started in a left-back role once more but was struggling after suffering a first-half injury. Was replaced at half-time and Stuard Dallas came in his place.
Eunan O’Kane: 8.5
Was outstanding in the middle of the park as he set the ball perfectly for debutant Pierre-Michel Lasogga who broke the deadlock early in the game. Ruled the midfield with his passing, pressing and positioning. Was taken off to be replaced by Mateusz Klich minutes before the one-hour mark.
Kalvin Phillips: 8
The youngster continues his great run of form as he scored in the first half to double the lead. His down the middle runs caused enough trouble for the Burton back-line.
Kemar Roofe: 8.5
Started the game in his usual right wing slot and kept on cutting inside and create chances. He played his park in Leeds’ second goal ( scored by Phillips) of the game and he himself found the back of the net minutes into the second half. He then set a perfect opportunity for Lasogga on an-hour mark who made no mistake to score his second of the evening.
Samuel Saiz: 7.5
The Spaniard could not mark his name in the scoresheet but did well to link up with fellow attackers. His movements caused enough trouble on vulnerable Burton defence.
Pablo Hernandez: 7.5
The veteran Spaniard kept on creating chances from the left-hand flank and scored from a spot-kick in closing moments of the first-half after Lasogga was fouled inside the box.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga: 9.5
A dream debut for the former German youth international who might prove to be a fitting replacement of marksman Chris Wood. He scored within 20 minutes of his debut, earned a spot-kick, assisted Roofe to score minutes into the second half and then finished off in style by scoring again. Was taken off within minutes of his second goal and was replaced by youngster jay-Roy Grot.
Substitutes
Stuart Dallas: 6.5
Played the entire second half after coming on as a half-time replacement of injured Vurnon Anita. Mostly concentrated in attack with his crosses and long range efforts.
Mateusz Klich: 6.5
Came in place of impressive Eunan O’Kane. Did well to hold possession and control the game from the middle of the park.
Jay-Roy Grot: 6
offered physicality up front and the youngster caught eyes on a few occasions with his runs and efforts to increase the margin.
