Leeds United got the job done against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. The scoreline reflects a routine win, though it was far from that at times, with the Owls really giving it a go.
Leeds United reclaimed their top spot in the Championship table from Sheffield United with a win over the Blades’ Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls, unlike most who head to Elland Road, looked to get forward and press Leeds United. It gave Leeds a few challenges with Wednesday fast on the counter, but in the end, Wednesday’s attacking nature maybe suited Leeds.
Daniel Farke’s side killed the game late on as Wednesday looked for a way back in. Manor Solomon scored the first early doors but later goals came from Largie Ramazani and then Ao Tanaka.
Tanaka scored just his second league goal of the season with a deft finish in injury time, flicking the ball the wrong side of Owls goalkeeper James Beadle as Ramazani shot into the box.
Simon Grayson in awe of Ao Tanaka goal vs Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking on LUTV after the win over Wednesday, former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson spoke about Tanaka and his goal, which Grayson was really in awe of. Largie Ramazani shot towards goal and the 26-year-old Tanaka put a deft flick on it to steer it past the Owls goalkeeper for 3-0.
Grayson then went on to speak about Tanaka’s ability and presence on the whole, highlighting his ‘outstanding talent’ and the fact that he’s slowly but surely discovering an eye for goal.
“It’s a beautiful finish.” Grayson said. “I love watching this kid play. I think he’s an outstanding talent, and he’s showing there that he’s got some creative ability and it’s nice to see him being reward with goals in the last few weeks.”
Not the first time Simon Grayson has been blown away by Ao Tanaka’s talent
Grayson is clearly a fan of Tanaka’s, hailing the Japanese midfielder earlier in the season after Leeds’ 2-0 win against Derby County back in December.
The former Leeds boss said of Tanaka: “He keeps it simple, keeps it moving. He fills in the gaps, he does the side of the game that not a lot of people will feel is his key strength. Understands the game so well, reads it so well. A massive influence.”
Over the last few months, Tanaka has become a really solid player for Leeds. Like Grayson said beforehand, he’s a player who keeps it simple, but his goal against Sheffield Wednesday shows that he has that little bit of class as well.
It’s often that bit of quality that gets teams over the lien in the race for promotion.
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