Leeds United 2 Watford FC 1 – a premature victory as Leeds went 2-0 up in seven minutes and then failed to capitalise on the chances they created.
A roller coaster match as Leeds tore Watford FC apart in the first seven minutes with Watford’s goalkeeper exposed, with Leeds winning a run of corners but could not build on the lead. Watford then clawed their way back with an early second goal and then Watford were winning the second ball. James and Joseph then came on to wrestle the game back. Leeds had their chances with Piroe and Joseph but lacked the concentration they showed against Sheffield United.
Leeds had the kind of dream start Farke wants to see: two goals up in the first seven minutes.
Bachmann, the second choice keeper for Watford had a nightmare start. Firstly, Firpo assisted again to Ramazani who made a Summerville style surge across the penalty box with a shot into the far corner that Bachmann got a hand to but needed another hand to yank it out of the net but it was too late to save his mistake.
The second goal just four minutes later saw Leeds exploiting the Watford space on the left for a simple cross into the box to Piroe but Bachmann Piroe could only push it out into the lap of Aaronson with the simplest of into the net.
The momentum was briefly halted by an industrial tackle on Ramazani when Festy took the man with the ball. Festy later hacked down Struijk and earned a yellow card.
Although Leeds attacked in numbers they never looked vulnerable at the back. They had plenty of corners which Rothwell exploited with set pieces but they could not break through. The game settled down and the next goal would be the pivotal one. Could Watford pull one goal back and chase for the equaliser or could Leeds kill the game off with a third.
Just before half time Meslier was finally called in to action with a fine stretch to keep the Leeds score sheet clean. Watford look to use set piece corners right onto the goal line using their tall players. But it was Leeds that looked more like scoring.
Leeds were caught napping at the start of the second half as Watford attacked and scored – Struijk was firmly beaten on the by line and Baah planted ball past Meslier. Watford went on the hunt for that equaliser winning second balls and corners.
The game became farcical on 70 minutes when Piroe tried to cut back and missed the ball and his shot on goal, at which point two Watford players went down on the floor. Farke took the opportunity to ramp up the pace with James and Joseph brought on with James sending in searching crosses for Joseph.
Tanaka is the kind of defensive midfielder Leeds are about: intuitive tackling that opposition players don’t know how to handle except to go down and claim a desperate free kick. Piroe had a forgettable evening fluffing his chances. Gnonto always looked a better quality player with a magic moment on the half hour with a zig zag movement in the box that this time the keeper saved.
Man of the match: Ao Tanaka – won tackles and spun his way out all over the pitch.
