Gary Rowett says ‘one thing’ Leeds United have in promotion battle with Sheffield United and Burnley

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Gary Rowett has given his verdict on Leeds United after they defeated his Oxford United side on Friday night.

Though they controlled the vast majority of the game, Leeds United could only narrowly defeat Oxford United 1-0 thanks to Manor Solomon’s first-half strike.

But three points is three points and they are crucial ones for Leeds, who’ve moved even closer to securing promotion to the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	43	26	13	4	83	29	54	91
2	BurnleyBurnley	43	25	16	2	59	14	45	91
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	43	27	7	9	59	33	26	86

Daniel Farke’s side are not there yet, though, and remain in a battle with Burnley and Sheffield United for the two spots.

Leeds can secure promotion on Easter Monday if they defeat Stoke City and Chris Wilder’s side then lose to Burnley afterwards.

If the Whites and Blades both win, then the battle will go to the penultimate weekend and Gary Rowett has praised Leeds’ ‘electric’ forward line.

Gary Rowett calls Leeds United ‘electric’

Solomon’s fine goal was the difference at the Kassam Stadium, with Joe Rodon’s defence-splitting pass sending Jayden Bogle through down the right to tee up the winger.

It was an excellent move, one that Leeds have done time and again this season and Michael Bridges says it reminds him of Pep Guardiola and Sam Allardyce.

Rowett, who also labelled Rodon as ‘outstanding,’ couldn’t help but praise Leeds’ quality in attack.

“It felt like that,” the Oxford boss replied when asked by Sky Sports if it was just one moment of magic that separated the two sides.

“I think one thing you say about Leeds, you can’t switch off for a second.

“They are electric in the final third and the goal was that classic moment where we get into good shape and we just switch off.

“The ball gets played through the gap and then the cross is brilliant and then they react a little bit quicker than us. That’s the challenge against Leeds, you’ve got to be perfect.”

Jobi McAnuff praises Manor Solomon

Solomon has stepped up to the plate in recent games when Leeds needed real quality to get them back to winning ways.

The forward has scored or assisted in the last three wins and did both in a Player of the Match performance vs Preston.

Leeds haven’t lost a game Solomon has scored in yet and Jobi McAnuff thinks he’ll get the credit he deserves once promotion is secured.

He said on Sky Sports:  “I think by the end of the season, when they’re promoted, he certainly will do.

“I think for him it’s about a season of getting back to playing football regularly. It’s a big, big football club.

“Took a little while to get himself going but once he has, we’ve seen his quality.

“It’s so hard to defend against the areas where they’re all finishing. Solomon inside the post, Aaronson inside the post, Piroe inside the post.

“They’re so narrow that front four and it’s those full-backs that really give them the width.

“That’s why as a defence unit, you’re looking at it like: ‘Right, we’ve got our man here, we’re in a good position,’ a run comes, timing’s absolutely spot on and when they play at that tempo, it’s so hard to deal with.”