Leeds United were hardly troubled in pursuit of an eighth Championship win of the season as Daniel Farke’s men easily surpassed QPR to win by two goals to nil at Elland Road.
Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe added to their tallies with a goal in each half as Leeds secured a ninth clean sheet of the season and at least for 24 hours, went second in the Championship table behind Sunderland.
Here are three things we learned from the victory:
£16m man is definitely first choice after Leeds win
Mateo Joseph was given a run out up top as Daniel Farke brought in Sam Byram, Manor Solomon and the Spain U21 striker to face struggling QPR. But Joseph did not produce his best form when given a chance.
Joseph failed to score, and lost 10 of his 13 duels. Meanwhile, Piroe came off the bench to score for Leeds. £16m signing Piroe has scored the most goals as a substitute in a calendar year in Leeds’ history.
When Leeds return on November 24 after the break, The Whites take on Swansea at Piroe’s old stomping ground and the striker will be in the starting line-up. Saturday proved why Piroe is easily, first choice.
Leeds star deserves more trust from Elland Road crowd
Brenden Aaronson is becoming a bit of an enigma. Not because of what he did last season and his choice to return to Leeds, but because the American is dividing opinion among the Elland Road terraces.
The USA star is a player capable of magic. Farke said Aaronson can produce passes like Zinedine Zidane, and he certainly showed it when finding an on-rushing Sam Byram to square for on-loan Manor Solomon.
But Byram was offside, ruining Aaronson’s moment of genius. He also crashed an effort against the bar, but Aaronson lost 14 of 19 duels. Leigh Bromby says Aaronson caused some Leeds fans to “groan”.
However, those who are questioning Aaronson’s impact need to realise that he is going to lose the ball. He is attempting to make things happen, and that means it won’t always come off. He deserves trust.
Two players scheduled to leave next summer, it has to change
In Leeds’ starting line-up on Saturday, three players are scheduled to leave the club at the end of the season. Joe Rothwell and Solomon are on loan, while Byram has a contract at Leeds until next summer.
While Solomon struggled as he looks to rediscover his form after a nightmare 14 months with injury, Rothwell and Byram starred again. Rothwell is unlikely to have much of a future at Bournemouth.
Byram continues to shine when called upon. Stuart Dallas called Byram “Mr. Reliable” before Saturday’s win and the versatile defender was excellent. Leeds need to strike deals to keep Byram and Rothwell.
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