Leeds United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0 – Strength in Depth. It was good to see a side come here and have a go at Leeds. It was heavy going at times in both halves but when the substitutes came on it was game over. Leeds have strength in depth that can change games.
Leeds deserved their three points – controlling possession, getting in front of the Sheffield Wednesday goal and having a mostly solid defence. They were patient and managed to get behind the Wednesday defence. Wednesday managed to peg Leeds back at times giving match some jeopardy making it a match you had to keep your eye on, even if it was freezing cold at Noon on a Sunday.
It was a dream start for Leeds as they caused havoc in the Wednesday box with Piroe’s shot parried into Solomon who slammed it home. Leeds rarely even lose from a winning position. Although Leeds scored a goal in the first three minutes they spent most of the match failing to capitalise on it.
James and Solomon were excellent on the wings but Piroe and Aaronson couldn’t connect. We need a new striker. Meslier had little to do but when it mattered from a corner he flapped at the ball. We need a new keeper. Ampadu and Rodon kept Wednesday at bay who managed two shots on target. Our defence is one of the meanest in the league.
The worst man on the pitch was the referee who was criminal of inconsistency. Being petty but then allowing other fouls like a blatant Wednesday handball. The crowd were getting angry with him.
For what is a Yorkshire Derby this was a relatively tame affair, lacking the needle of say, Preston North End. We had a moment of fun in the second half when sliding tackles and scrapping for the ball for a minute got the crowd screaming but the referee put an end to that.
At one point there match looked like it would become a proper derby as both teams heavily tackled each other and fought for the ball in the space of one minute with the whole stadium wanting to join in.
Late on in the second half Leeds lost possession and the crowd became frustrated as they struggled to get the ball. With Solomon and Rothwell fading, Farke brought on Ramazani and Joseph. Leeds were into a nervous last ten minutes – one goal up and Wednesday looking the more threatening.
But Leeds Ramazani pulled off a magic trick. The Wednesday goal was congested all match yet, surrounded by players, Ramazani swivelled around and fired through them all into the net. Oh the relief the players and fans felt. And we were entertained again by Ramazani’s double back flip.
Not yet finished, in injury time Ramazani had another shot on goal, however Tanaka was there for some reason, and in the way. With a deft flick he managed to deflect the ball away from the keeper. Tanaka is turning in to the fans favourite with “A-O” echoing around the ground. If Ramazani keeps conjuring tricks like this he will earn that right to be the impact sub. This is what makes Leeds unbeatable – their strength in depth.
Man of the match: Solomon was given a standing ovation when he subbed off, as he was a hand full in the first half. But Ampadu is the hero for commanding the defence.
