Gary Rowett notes ‘the only mistake’ Ao Tanaka made for Leeds against Swansea

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Dan James, Manor Solomon and Wilfried Gnonto are making the headlines after Leeds United’s win against Swansea City.

James gave two assists for Leeds in their 4-3 victory over Swansea away from home in the Championship on Sunday.

Solomon, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, scored two goals. Gnonto came on as a substitute and found the winner in injury time.

Another player who did well for Leeds but who will not make the headlines is Ao Tanaka, who started as one of the two holding midfielders.

Tanaka has established himself as a key player for Leeds and has been hugely impressed. The Japan international has formed a strong partnership with Joe Rothwell in the middle of the park.

Ao Tanaka held responsible for first Swansea goal vs Leeds United

Against Swansea, Tanaka did well again and impressed Lee Hendrie. However, fellow Sky Sports pundits Gary Rowett and Jermaine Beckford noted that the 26-year-old was at fault for the first Swansea goal.

Former Leeds striker Beckford and ex-Derby County manager Rowett noticed how easily Harry Darling could run past Tanaka for his goal in the eighth minute.

Beckford said on Sky Sports Football (3:55pm, November 24, 2024): “Tanaka actually lets him run behind him, which is quite surprising. I would have assumed that he would have stepped across him, just made it a little bit more difficult, a little bit more challenging.”

Rowett: “It’s about the only mistake Tanaka has made really, isn’t it? It’s a wonderful ball, but he just allows Darling to get past him. You know, if there’s a little bit of a mismatch physically, you just have got to stand in his way, you have got to block him, but he actually starts outside the line of that run. He just allows him to run across and a free chance.”

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	16	9	5	2	28	12	16	32
2	SunderlandSunderland	16	9	5	2	26	12	14	32
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	16	10	4	2	21	9	12	32
4	BurnleyBurnley	16	8	6	2	19	6	13	30

Ao Tanaka impressed again for Leeds United

Tanaka joined Leeds in the summer of 2024 and has done well for Farke’s side this season. The midfielder has made nine starts and four substitute appearances in the league.

Although Tanaka should have done better for the first goal that Swansea scored, he played well overall and was a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the park.

The midfielder had one attempt on goal and played one key pass. Tanaka had a pass accuracy of 86% and took 71 touches. He made six tackles, two interceptions and one clearance as well against Swansea.