Leeds United finally recorded their first win of the season at the fourth attempt with a comfortable 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday, and both Dan James and Jermaine Beckford praised one player.
Having drawn the opening two Championship matches against Portsmouth and West Brom, the pressure was already on Daniel Farke to go and win at Hillsborough against a tumultuous Sheffield Wednesday.
They did just that, mirroring last season’s result at Wednesday. Goals either side of the half-time break from Brenden Aaronson and Dan James did the job, even without Georginio Rutter after his departure.
Both goals were assisted by Spain U21 striker Mateo Joseph, as the forward failed to score again on Friday night but won the man-of-the-match award for his performance as he nabbed two assists.
James heaps praise on Mateo Joseph with exciting prediction
Not only did Joseph brilliantly set up USA star Aaronson for his second goal of the season, taking the American to the top of the Leeds goalscoring charts this season, but his pass for James was immense.
Picking up the ball midway inside his own half after a crunching Junior Firpo tackle, Joseph got the ball out of his feet and sprayed a 30-metre pass into the onrushing James, who finished with aplomb.
Speaking to Sky Sports (23/08, 10.08PM) after the match, James said: ” Yeah, I think it’s a great pass. He is not scoring, but he is always contributing to goals, involved in both goals today. Great goalscorer as well.
“You will see that over time. Even when he is not scoring, he is assisting. He is contributing to plays, he is holding the ball up, and he has been brilliant. Try and continue it,” James continued on Joseph’s display.
Leeds icon Beckford stunned by Joseph’s display on Friday
Not only did Joseph impress teammate James, but he earned the praise of a legendary Leeds striker in the form of Elland Road icon Beckford. Beckford was on punditry duty for Sky Sports on Friday night.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Beckford told Sky Sports (23/08, 10.11PM) that it is only a matter of time before Joseph starts to score goals on a regular basis in a Leeds shirt having failed to do so.
“He was brilliant, he’s been fantastic for the u21’s and it’s only a matter of time before the EFL is blessed with his goalscoring. The one thing missing was that one chance to score,” Beckford said on Joseph.
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