Leeds United cruised to a 2-0 win at Stoke City on Boxing Day, and returned to the top of the Championship table in the process.
Leeds United had to watch their promotion rivals all play before them on Boxing Day. But the Whites handled themselves well in tricky conditions at the bet365 Stadium.
Daniel Farke’s side won 2-0 thanks to two goals from Joel Piroe, returning to the top of the Championship table after Sheffield United lost against Burnley earlier in the day.
Jayden Bogle shone for Leeds United against Stoke, bombing up and down the right flank and causing the Potters problems throughout the 90 minutes.
There were good performances across the pitch too, albeit few particularly standout performances, with Dan James another star player on the night.
He and Bogle ran riot down the right at times as pressure piles on Potters boss Narcis Pelach. But neither James nor Bogle were named Man of the Match.
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Don Goodman names Joel Piroe as Man of the Match for Leeds United vs Stoke
Commentating on Sky Sports, Don Goodman actually named scorer Piroe as the Man of the Match, which might come as a surprise to soe Leeds fans.
Leeds fans are often critical of Piroe who’s proved to be a very divisive player at times. And in the game against Stoke before he got on the scoresheet, Leeds fans weren’t all that impressed with the Dutchman.
But he took his two goals well and is now on nine in the Championship this season, making him the Whites’ top scorer.
Goodman said when asked for his Man of the Match: “Goal win games, couple tonight. Piroe, look at those 11 touches in the Stoke box, that’s more than Stoke have had in Leeds’ box.
“Leeds have been really impressive and he’s been the beneficiary of that.”
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Daniel Farke’s previous Joel Piroe claim says it all
Speaking earlier in the season, Farke gave an honest review of Piroe’s game, highlighting his natural ability but also stating that he’s not a quick player.
Farke said: “He’s always a striker that likes to drop deep. He’s a bit special in this approach and you can’t change a player’s strengths, you must play to that.
“You have to improve his weaknesses, his mobility.”
And against Stoke, we saw Piroe simply being a poacher: in the right place at the right time to score a couple of striker’s goals.
He wasn’t bursting forward or running in behind and it highlights how Leeds need to play around Piroe’s strengths, and the goals will follow.
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