Daniel Farke will be waking up on Sunday morning delighted to see his Leeds United side at the top of the Championship table, at least until Sheffield United’s game against West Brom.
The win sees Leeds sit top of the table with 38 points from 19 Championship games. An eleventh league win of the season, and an 11th clean sheet for Illan Meslier as The Whites cruised past Derby to win 2-0.
It is the sixth time Leeds have won by two goals to nil this season. A scoreline that reflects control under Daniel Farke, with Leeds seemingly a better side collectively this season, rather than relying on individuals.
Leeds no longer have to rely on Crysencio Summerville or Georginio Rutter to supply some magic. That was proved on Saturday with Leeds scoring goals through an unlikely source, Joe Rodon and Max Wober.
Jermaine Beckford heaps praise on Leeds loanee Manor Solomon
When Leeds signed Solomon on loan from Tottenham, it was seen as a coup. Solomon has sparkled in the Premier League and the Champions League over the years, but Leeds fans are yet to see the best of him.
Having spent a year out injured, he only offered glimpses in his first few games before picking up a back issue. But now fit, he started again on Saturday against Derby and before the game, Beckford praised him.
“He’s been brilliant since he has come back from injury. He’s someone that really excites me, I would have loved to play up front with him on the wings,” Leeds icon Beckford said, while on LUTV’s Matchday Live.
“He’s so direct, so quick with the ball, changes direction quickly. Really good feet, low centre of gravity, the delivery from the left, likes to keep it nice and low and put some zing on it. Perfect for forwards.”
How Manor Solomon compares to Leeds United’s three wingers
None of Solomon, Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James or Largie Ramazani could add to their tally of goals or assists on Saturday but what is clear, is Leeds have four Premier League-standard wingers on the books.
| Name | Games (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Largie Ramazani | 11 (5) | 468 | 3 | 1 | 127 |
| Dan James | 13 (8) | 797 | 3 | 2 | 159.4 |
| Wilfried Gnonto | 19 (17) | 1403 | 3 | 5 | 175.4 |
| Manor Solomon | 13 (7) | 637 | 2 | 1 | 212.3 |
Interestingly, it is Ramazani that has the best tally of goals and assists in terms of the minutes he has played. Like Solomon, summer signing Ramazani has spent a considerable amount of time out injured.
Gnonto seems to be wearing that main-man kind of leadership in the final third, even if Daniel Farke says Gnonto has been better from the bench of late. All eyes turn to Tuesday night against Middlesbrough.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
