Leeds United FC 3 – Watford FC 0 – The Coming of Rutter

Leeds United FC 3 – Watford FC 0 – The Coming of Rutter. The Farke formula is showing as Leeds manage four matches without conceding, and another 3-0 win with good performances all over the pitch. Leeds ended seven days earning 7 points and moving up to fifth place.

Until today Leeds not won a home game since first week of April – nearly six months.  This made today a special day for the fans.  Leeds are growing as a complete team, confident with the crossing and the final touch.  It’s a turn around from last season with Leeds now finding winning ways, keeping clean sheets, getting shots on target, and dominating possession. Today Watford were restricted to one short on target in extra time.

At the end of the first half the fans were frustrated that Leeds had not broken through the Watford defence despite dominating possession.  The perfect Leeds tactic is to score first and force the opposition to play out of their defence. Only the keeper was keeping Watford in the match.  Watford unhappy enough to make three changes at half time which gives Leeds some early pressure.

As Farke said after Hull City, Leeds need to be smarter at finding the net. Today he described it as like needing to shake a bottle of ketchup until eventually something comes out. What works for Leeds is that early goal that they scored at Millwall, that forces the opposition to come out. 

With Gnonto injured it was Summerville’s turn to be the hitman constantly winning free kicks.

At first Leeds were not quite clicking. Rutter again like at Hull fluffed a one on one chance with the keeper.  Summerville shooting on target but not away from the keeper.  But then patience paid off and Georgino turned on the magic.

The first goal saw the new Rutter: dribbling and unstoppable, James’ outpacing the Watford defence and the cross finding an unmarked Piroe who scores strikers goal tapping the the ball in to the net.  This was the formula missing with Piroe until then.

The second goal was a Byram header from a corner.  Until that stage Leeds had not managed – but this one dropped in the middle of the box finding an unmarked Byram.  Leeds fans then came to life singing “Leedsa re falling apart again.”

The third goal started with Rutter who won the ball and made a perfectly weighted pass forward for the sub Anthony to deftly find the corner of the net.  This was his second chance in a matter of minutes.  It demanded patience but Leeds found their way through the Watford defence.

Late on Farke joined in the fun as well with a long high ball landing in front of him and traps it dead with a roar of approval from the fans.

Struijk is growing as a confident deference this season. Kamara’s debut was quiet and productive.  Ampadu was as consistent as he has been all season.

Man of Match: Georgino – his dribbing and passing was crucial to the win.  Nonetheless, Farke’s remark was that he should still “Play pragmatical.”