Leeds United went into the September international break in the perfect fashion with a win and a clean sheet against Hull City on Saturday afternoon, remaining unbeaten after four league games.
Both Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe scored their first goals of the season in the second half to win 2-0 and secure eight points from the club’s opening four Championship matches, now sitting fourth in the table.
Leeds had to ride their luck a couple of times with Liam Millar, who was linked with a move to Elland Road during the summer, came close with a couple of curling efforts at Illan Meslier’s goal in the first half.
But a moment of magic from Manor Solomon on the left flank saw the new signing go past two players before crossing for Joseph to nip in front of a defender and open the scoring just after the hour mark.
Farke full of praise for Mateo Joseph after first goal of season
Daniel Farke will have been delighted with the win against a side that troubled Leeds last season. A game that saw Leeds draw 0-0 and win 3-1, but the latter seeing Leeds take until the last few minutes to win.
Joseph is first choice up top and after two assists against Sheffield Wednesday and winning the man of the match award, he finally got his first goal and Farke spoke of the striker’s potential in a Leeds shirt.
“He definitely has instinct. Unfair to compare with others. To be the main man, you need to have a special character, talent; he has that but not finished product. We can speak when he has 20, 30 goals, not now.”
Joseph can be the difference in Leeds’ pursuit of promotion
The striker has been excellent so far. Even if it was only his first goal and only his second Championship goal for Leeds since breaking into the side under Farke, he is showing he can take Leeds towards the top.
His pass against Sheffield Wednesday for Dan James’ goal, his hold-up play for Leeds second as he laid the ball into Junior Firpo who crossed to Piroe. Joseph is not just about scoring goals, he can create, too.
If Leeds are going to go up, they need these players in attacking positions to mix and match. Not simply one goalscorer, not just one creative player. They all need to produce numbers and Joseph is doing so.
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