Leeds United 3 Swansea City 1 – Fortress Elland Road. Leeds maintained their unbeaten record at Elland Road with a comfortable win against a tough Swansea. After a rocky start, improved their passing and Georginio mastered Leeds’ attacks. James and Piroe are ex-Swansea City players who both managed to score against their old club.
Leeds United went into this midweek back to full strength with Rutter fully recovered from his abdominal strain, Struijk after his double hernia operation, and Byram. We still wait for Djed Spence to return after his knee problem. Willy Gnonto and Ian Poveda, who both showed potential at Rotherham are subs.
Prior to the match the stadium remembered ex manager Terry Venables who passed away this week.
A hurricane swept through the start of the match as there were three goals in the first four minutes. James had the ball in the net in the first minute when the ball was passed to him but dubiously judged as offside. Within seconds the ball was high up at the Leeds end but a mistake by Struijk heading back to Meslier but is picked up by Paterson and a lob over Meslier put Swansea ahead.
Then Georginio does what he does best dribbling the ball forward with an incisive pass to Piroe who only has to tap the ball into the net – something he has a knack of. Leeds struggled for the rest of the first half to manage the game. Whilst Sommerville and James caused Swansea problems with their pace down the wings but Swansea headed out all the crosses.
Swansea City more than matched Leeds United being good in possession in midfield and forcing errors out of Leeds. Leeds United ended the half with Summerville, Kamara and Struijk all having chances. But in the final minute of the first half we watch a moment of magic as Ampadu from the Leeds half sees Georginio on a run and lobs the ball straight to him who shrugs off Humphrys to collect the long ball and score his first goal at Elland Road. He goes off on a celebration run with a little flick of the Harry Potter wand ending with a dance with Summerville.
Could have been more goals
Georginio started the second half almost winning a penalty as he wriggled through the Swansea defence only to hacked down. Leeds take control of the match with both Summerville and James looking for that third goal.
Finally, on the hour Leeds make their chance count. A crunching Byram tackle, picked up by Georginio, whose exquisitely timed pass finds Dan James who storms into the penalty box and hammers it into the roof of the net. Leeds now have command of the game.
As Leeds United took control of the second half Rodon snuffed out the Swansea CIty forward manoeuvres. Piroe had a much busier match than usual – it was good to see him picking up the ball in midfield to help build attacks.
With Bamford, Gnonto and Anthony coming on a subs just shows the quality of our bench. It could have been more goals but that cutting edge is coming. Leeds are now developing that legendary fortress Elland Road.
Man of the match: Georginio with his first goal at Elland Road and ever present in the action with his weighted passes.
