Leeds United opened the new Premier League 2 campaign with a hugely impressive 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Mark Jackson’s side played some wonderful football at times. And only an inspired goalkeeping performance prevented the Whites from winning by a greater margin.
And here are three talking points from the game:
Kristoffer Klaesson will need time, but encouraging signs are there
Leeds fans got a really good opportunity to have a look at Kristoffer Klaesson following his summer move to Elland Road.
Of course, Marcelo Bielsa looks set to trust the Norwegian to be Illan Meslier’s understudy this term. So supporters would have been expecting a fair amount.
It was perhaps a mixed debut for Klaesson. Some of his distribution was unconvincing. That will certainly need to improve if he hopes to put pressure on Meslier.
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But he also went on to make a penalty save during the second-half to keep the score at 3-1.
New signings shine in south London
Klaesson was not the only new face in the lineup. Lewis Bate, Amari Miller and Sean McGurk all featured for Jackson’s side.
McGurk got on the scoresheet with an emphatic finish. Meanwhile, Bate looks to have the potential to be an inspired addition.
He played as both a number 10 and as an eight on Monday. And he looked every bit as impressive as Adam Forshaw, who was buzzing around him for much of the game.
Miller has certainly given Ian Poveda something to think about. The former Birmingham City starlet was lively throughout and was only denied a goal by a handball on the goalline.
Leeds may have their next Ayling and Raphinha after Crystal Palace win
Few partnerships in the Leeds squad are as impressive as the one between Luke Ayling and Raphinha down the Whites’ right.
It is remarkable to think that the pair have been playing together less than a year.
Another combination in its infancy that is showing a frightening amount of potential is that of Cody Drameh and Crysencio Summerville.
They were outstanding together on Leeds’ right on Monday. And it would be no surprise to see the pair cause a lot of problems together in the first-team one day.