Despite a scintillating start of the new Championship campaign, Leeds United’s season hit a massive low midway and they slipped down far below the playoff spot following a series of poor outcomes. Thomas Christiansen, the Leeds boss, however, has managed to fix things up lately and the Peacocks were unbeaten in last four Championship outings ahead of their Saturday afternoon fixture against Hull City at Elland Road. The hosts didn’t disappoint this time too as they clinched another narrow 1-0 win against the Tigers to mark their fourth win in last five outings and moved to the fifth place of the league table for the time being.
Below are the Leeds United players rated from their crucial win.
Felix Wiedwald: 8
The German custodian has massively improved since conceding a silly goal against QPR a couple of game weeks back and has clinched another clean-sheet that he thoroughly deserved. Wiedwald kept on making spectacular stops from the very first minute of the game but was lucky when Jon Toral’s strike for the visitors hit the woodwork minutes after Hernandez’s goal.
Luke Ayling: 7.5
A steady display from the right-back who maintained his defensive composure and kept on creating chances up front with his crosses, one-twos and forward runs.
Pontus Jansson: 8.5
The Swedish international was solid once more in the heart of Leeds defence as he made some crucial blocks, interceptions, and clearances to deny the Hull attackers and helped his side to protect the narrow lead.
Liam Cooper: 7.5
Cooper too delivered a steady defensive display by winning plenty of duels and maintaining his no-nonsense defending.
Gaetano Berardi: 7
Maintained his defensive composure yet again, and did not allow the likes of Nouha Dicko and Jackson Irvine to trouble much from his side of Leeds defence.
Kalvin Phillips: 6.5
Was combative in midfield and tried to link up with the attackers from the middle of the park. Was taken off at half-time with a suspected injury and was replaced by Eunan O’kane.
Ronaldo Vieira: 7.5
The youngster impressed once again in a deeper midfield role. Won back possession, broke down counter movements and made crucial interceptions to help his defence.
Pawel Cibicki: 6.5
The youngster has earned a regular slot since his impressive cameo appearance against QPR and performed well down the right-hand flank by linking up well with fellow attackers.
Pablo Hernandez: 8
The veteran Spaniard capitalized Allan McGregor’s howler and scored around half an hour mark to earn a lead for the Peacocks. He was quick with his movements, orchestrated moves from behind and impressed with his footwork. Was taken off in closing seconds to be replaced by Matthew Pennington.
Ezgjan Alioski: 6.5
Was not as effective as he has been in recent weeks, yet troubled the Hull defence from the left-hand flank with his pace, tricky runs, and dribbling skills.
Kemar Roofe: 5
The hat-trick hero against QPR was well contained by the Hull backline as he remained isolated for the majority of the game. Lost the duels and was taken off around the 76th-minute mark to be replaced by Lasogga.
Substitutes
Eunan O’Kane: 7
Did well to make things calm in the middle of the park since coming on in place of Kalvin Phillips at half-time.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga: 6.5
Badly out of form but looked impressive up front since coming on as a substitute in place of Kemar Roofe. Tested McGregor late in the game with a decent effort.
Matthew Pennington: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
