Leeds United produced one of their best performances of the season to see of the challenge of rivals and fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United on Friday night, to win 2-0.
Bragging rights were secured as Daniel Farke’s side controlled Chris Wilder’s men despite an impressive early start from the Blades. Sheffield United had chances but Leeds dominated from 20 minutes onwards.
Largie Ramazani hit the post and Brenden Aaronson had numerous chances until Joe Rothwell’s corner was turned into the back of the net by Pascal Struijk. Daniel Farke said Rothwell’s low deliver was planned.
Late on, Joel Piroe proved to make a decisive impact, this time from the start, as he played through Mateo Joseph to score his second goal of the season. A brilliant win for Leeds, initially moving into second place.
Joel Piroe tells Leeds United fans what they “need” to do
Farke had only won once against Sheffield United in his previous six meetings with the Blades but that run of poor form came to an end on Friday night. Leeds slipped to 3rd after Saturday’s Championship games.
But morale is high and the win was excellent especially given a number of Leeds stars had only returned from international duty in the last 48 hours. Piroe though, reminded his teammates what they need to do.
He wrote: “Big W. But we need to stay focused.”
Joel Piroe form proven in comparison to Championship strikers
Piroe has been immense off the bench for Leeds, so far. Three of his four Championship goals this season have come from the bench and one of his two assists have come as a substitute too, so far this term.
| Name | Club | Goals | Minutes | Goals per minute |
| Borja Sainz | Norwich | 7 | 882 | 126 |
| Josh Maja | West Brom | 7 | 836 | 119.4 |
| Duncan Watmore | Millwall | 5 | 736 | 147.2 |
| Josh Brownhill | Burnley | 5 | 900 | 180 |
| Callum Lang | Portsmouth | 4 | 588 | 147 |
| Edo Kayembe | Watford | 4 | 647 | 161.8 |
| Gus Hamer | Sheffield United | 4 | 741 | 185.3 |
| Joel Piroe | Leeds | 4 | 338 | 84.5 |
| Josh Sargent | Norwich | 4 | 890 | 222.5 |
| Mark Harris | Oxford United | 4 | 840 | 210 |
Farke thinks Piroe is the Championship’s best finisher. Judging by his minutes to goal ratio, the Leeds manager is right. To not start games, but score at a rate of one every 84 minutes is stunning form.
With Watford right around the corner, Leeds’ busy schedule does not get any easier to juggle for the Leeds manager. But with players like Piroe in the form he is in, he will want games coming thick and fast.
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