As Leeds United ran riot away at Watford – Dan James, Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe on the scoresheet again – the feeling amongst one of their Championship rivals is that one of the two automatic promotion spots has all but been secured.
Leeds United are not only five points clear of second-place Sheffield United now.
They are also eight points ahead of Burnley in third, and ten ahead of Sunderland in fourth. Now, the chasing pack all have a game in hand but, at this stage, does that really make a difference?
Does it really matter when Leeds are vaporising opponents with a ruthless brutality? While winning their last three Championship matches since that stalemate at Turf Moor, Daniel Farke’s prolific outfit have scored 13 goals in the process.
Four of those came at Vicarage Road. As the travelling Leeds United supporters revelled in Hertfordshire, the irrepressible Dan James fired them into 2-0 lead inside half an hour, before Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe added a hearty portion of icing and a glacier cherry or two on top of this most luxurious of cakes.
For any Sunderland fans tuning in, this was a display of merciless their beloved Black Cats side could only dream of. The main criticism of Regis Le Bris’ time at the Stadium of Light is that the Frenchman tends to sit back and look to protect a lead rather than strike while the iron is hot.
Sunderland, like Leeds, went 1-0 up early on against Watford during their meeting with Tom Cleverley’s outfit last weekend. They sacrificed the initiative, gifted the Hornets a route back, and eventually needed a late equaliser from Dennis Cirkin to avoid a shock home defeat.
Stark contrast to the way Leeds went about their business against the same opposition.
Sunderland fans blown away as Leeds United hammer Watford
“Leeds dusting Watford within 45 minutes whilst we made them look like world beaters,” one exasperated Sunderland supporter writes on X. “Leeds are as good as up and we’ve got an absolute mountain to climb for second.”
“Leeds are a cut above anyone else in the division like,” another agrees. “Game wrapped up within 35 minutes and they can coast the game and save their legs now. They’re as good as up. One automatic spot to play for.
“I will be amazed if Leeds don’t win the league. Comfortably beating Watford 3-0 away from home in the first half. It’s exactly what we don’t do.”
“Leeds putting our performance into perspective,” one fan sighs, Sunderland’s tendency to throw away advantages while struggling against the division’s lower teams likely to cost them dear.
“Can’t get promoted whilst struggling to beat poor sides.”
Sunderland travel to Elland Road next midweek
The good news for the Stadium of Light faithful is that Sunderland have a habit of raising their game against the teams around them. Le Bris’ team did the double over north east neighbours Middlesbrough while beating both Burnley and Sheffield United on Wearside.
Confidence is not exactly high in the Sunderland camp, however, as they look towards next week’s daunting trip to Elland Road.
“We might actually be playing Leeds at the worst possible time,” fears one pessimistic fan. “Gonna get pumped.
“Leeds right winger just scored two goals from open play in 28 minutes. Ours has two in about 65 games,” another says. “Leeds are simply ridiculous on the turn over. They absolutely fly forward, soon as they go a goal up and teams have to try and crash something they just pick them off at will. No catching them imo, it’s a race for second”
“The difference we are seeing here is Leeds who will finish top two just get the job done. Sunderland, who I think will have to settle for the play-offs, seem to find ways to drop points,” one adds. “Not a criticism just a observation. Leeds are making Watford look bang average.
“[Leeds’ performance at Watford] is the difference between first and fourth, I’m afraid,” a Black Cats fanatic sums up. “Ruthless from Leeds, something I feel Sunderland have lacked for a while now.”
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