Swansea FC 0 Leeds United 4 – Keep on winning. It was a lethal first half. Leeds unleashed attack after attack. Swansea were torn apart. The swirling wind and then the waterlogged pitch in the second half made the open play all the more erratic as Swansea tried to get back into the match. As Leeds taunted Swansea to come at them, they then swept them away with their pace in attack.
Since August 2023 Farke has gradually evolved his preferred first team squad. After a long wait Gruev has established himself in the midfield. After a promising start, Piroe has been replaced by a revitalised Bamford, player of the month in January 2024. Gray, a midfielder, has been playing in right back; but with Connor Roberts arriving, there will be a headache for Farke where to play him. Another revitalised player is Firpo. A notoriously poor defender he has become a serial assister on the left wing. Another player causing Farke a headache is James. With his recent absence Gnonto has stepped in and slowly improved with a couple of goals to boot.
An devastating first twenty minutes with two goals from Leeds, and numerous more chances that their own lack of clinical finishing stopped the score being more like four goals to the good. The pace of Leeds is such that when they attack in numbers their one touch passing is too quick for themselves. Swansea played open football looking to score but left their defence high up allowing Gnonto and Summerville to go flying up on the wings, with Georginio and Piroe surging to the goal.
After a positive start by Swansea, Summerville scored his sixteenth goal of the season. In a crowded Swansea penalty box the ball came out to Georginio who could only airs hot it. His quick reaction recovers the ball for Gruev to Summerville whose shot is deflected past the keeper.
Minutes later, Leeds show their ability to take advantage of a team playing a high line. Their pace left Swansea dumbstruck. Gnonto set up Piroe whose slick change of feet just about gets the ball off the shoulder of the keeper in the net.
It could have been three after Kamara won the ball from a Swansea corner, Gnonto raced ahead into a one on one with the keeper but his pace leaft him out of time to shoot clearly. Ampadu also took advantage of the high line with pinpoint crosses from defence up to the strikers.
The third goal came just after the half from Gnonto that sets off the Leeds fans singing louder than ever. From nothing Gray makes a neat lob for Gnonto to run into space and with a nutmeg through the last defender, the keeper is wrong footed.
It could have been four just afterwards after another surge forward for Georginio with Summerville but is just put off enough. Georginio kept trying showing his wizardry with a spin round a Swansea player that delighted the fans. Ultimately, Georginio had a frustrating night and needed a pep talk from Farke.
Swansea started the second half with more possession and a more controlled approach, with dangerous crosses. After the match appeared to drift Georginio won a tackle in the Leeds half, and with devastating pace, Summerville set up Gnonto who caught the keeper out with a wide shot across the goal for his fourth.
The fourth goal triggered a number of substitutions resting players for the long journey to Plymouth on saturday lunch time. Sometimes the decision making was wayward as Leeds held the ball when they could have transitioned into attack.
Our defence kept their shape and another clean sheet – six out of seven matches. Rodon comfortably protected his goal and Ampadu sent searching long crosses to the Forwards. Overall, another disciplined performance by Leeds who just keep on winning.
Man of the match: Willy Gnonto whose pace and skill further increased his goal tally this season.
