As Leeds United racked up the goals in their biggest Elland Road win since 1972, it felt like only a matter of time before one member of Daniel Farke’s side got in on the act.
He took his time – 65 minutes to be precise – but the chances of Joel Piroe walking off without at least one to his name always felt somewhat fanciful.
Piroe had already skewed one shot wide of the post but there was no way he was letting a collapsing Cardiff outfit off the hook from 12 yards. And, as the Leeds United fans demanded a seventh, none other than their number ten was on hand to oblige.
Piroe secured Leeds’ first seven-goal home victory in 52 years – Cardiff City obliterated on a magical Elland Road afternoon – as he tapped in Junior Firpo’s third assist of the afternoon.
Amid all the focus on Piroe pre-match – Leeds remain determined to sign Southampton’s Cameron Archer while the former Swansea City hitman had just one goal in his last six games – what better way to respond to the critics.
It wasn’t just the quality of Piroe’s finishing which impressed Daniel Farke, however, during perhaps his finest, most complete Leeds performance since arriving in a £10 million deal during the summer of 2023.
Daniel Farke delighted with Joel Piroe as Leeds United destroy Cardiff City
“My offensive players will be praised for their goals and their assists,” Farke admits, speaking during a breezy post-match interview. “When I think about Joel Piroe for example, two goals today.
“But what he did before the first goal, he won the ball close to our own box and played the pass. The same for the second goal. This is not often in the spotlight.”
One of the main criticisms of Joel Piroe during his time at Leeds is that, for all the composure he offers inside the penalty area, he often struggles when asked to vary his game. Piroe has had plenty of minutes in a more withdrawn, almost number ten-like role, but often finds it difficult providing a link between the midfield and the frontline.
But as his movement bamboozled the Cardiff defence, this felt like a performance where things finally clicked.
It was Piroe’s glorious pass from a deeper, right-sided position which set up Dan James with just six minutes on the clock. After rounding the Cardiff goalkeeper, James rolled the ball back for Brenden Aaronson to finish.
Piroe then added another ‘pre-assist’ to his tally only a few moments later. Picking up the ball from a probing Joe Rodon ball into midfield, he exchanged a quick-fire one-two with Aaronson before again splitting Cardiff open.
James this time would turn provider for Manor Solomon.
It was Piroe who’s shot, well saved by a largely helpless Jak Alnwick, which eventually resulted in a spot-kick too as James was scythed down while attempting to tap in the rebound. Piroe converted with ease, his first of a half-hour brace.
Leeds performance ‘sensational’ in massive title statement
While ending a three-game drought, the one-time PSV Eindhoven youngster is now up to 12 league goals for the season.
“What a performance! Sensational,” BBC Sport reporter Adam Pope said following a win which does little to boost the title hopes of Burnley and Sheffield United.
“Some results stay with you. If Leeds go up this season, then people will be saying; ‘Were you there at the 7-0’?
“Every single Leeds players has a smile, they’ve been absolutely dominant today. What a day it has been.”
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