Daniel Farke will have been absolutely delighted to watch his Leeds United side run out 2-0 winners over promotion rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday night.
A clash between two clubs expected to be pushing for a place in the top two come the end of the season, Leeds finally ended Sheffield United’s unbeaten start to the Championship campaign with a 2-0 victory.
Sheffield United came into the game without conceding a goal since August and winning five of their last six league games. Leeds meanwhile, failed to beat Sunderland last time out due to Illan Meslier’s error.
A midfield injury crisis has emerged and some Leeds players, notably Brenden Aaronson, only arrived back at Leeds on Thursday after representing their countries during the October international break.
Mateo Joseph ‘crestfallen’ after full-time whistle as Leeds win
Leeds had to weather the storm for the first 10 minutes but following that, Daniel Farke’s men were the better side. Largie Ramazani hit the bar in the first half before Pascal Struijk finally opened the scoring.
Breaking Michael Cooper’s stunning record between the sticks, he latched on to Joe Rothwell’s corner to convert superbly. Then, substitute Mateo Joseph scored after a gorgeous through ball from Joel Piroe.
Joseph thanked Piroe for his assist, but after doing an interview for Sky Sports with Struijk, he looked as if he was set to accept the man of the match award from Struijk. Instead, the award was given to Ao Tanaka.
David Prutton said on Sky Sports: “Mateo Joseph looking absolutely crestfallen that he didn’t get the man of the match trophy, it’s been given to Ao Tanaka. Leeds’ midfield were absolutely everywhere tonight.”
Ao Tanaka wins man of the match as Leeds midfield shines
Tanaka and Rothwell could be forgiven for struggling. Not only was Friday their third as a pair and only the second time they’ve started together, but it’s come against Norwich, Sunderland and Sheffield United.
Ao Tanaka’s stats vs Sheffield United:
- 88 touches (third highest)
- 1 key pass
- 1 tackle, 1 block
- 1 interception, 1 clearance
- 66 successful passes, 74 attempted
- 4 successful long balls, 6 attempted
Three incredibly tough games. Chuck into the mix that both midfielders are very attack-minded and that Tanaka is being asked to play in a bit of a new, deep-lying playmaker role, it is a completely new skill set.
But Rothwell once again dictated the tempo of that midfield against stars like Gus Hamer and Vini Souza. Tanaka was everywhere, fitness not an issue despite playing the full 95 minutes for Japan on Tuesday.
The duo are likely to be joined by a free agent signing in due course but if they continue the way they are, then it might be that Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have a job to get back into this Leeds starting XI.
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