It is difficult to find the right adjective to describe Leeds United’s performance against Stoke City on Easter Monday, as The Whites piled the pressure on Sheffield United.
All the pressure was on Leeds going into the match. The Whites needed to win in order to put pressure on Sheffield United ahead of this evening’s match, with the Blades going to Burnley for a 5.30pm clash.
Leeds were favourites and certainly, were expected to win given Stoke have little to play for after a run of five games unbeaten and 11 points from a possible 15 had seen Mark Robins’ side avoid relegation.
But Daniel Farke’s side were relentless. Absolutely unstoppable. Joel Piroe had failed to score in the last 10 games but inexplicably, netted four goals in the first 45 minutes to take his tally to 19 for 2024-25.
Leeds fans stunned by Jayden Bogle, better than Joel Piroe
Junior Firpo managed to bundle one home before Willy Gnonto got his name on the score sheet after a stunning cross from Manor Solomon. A 6-0 win, when in truth it could have been double digits for Leeds.
Piroe will take all the plaudits, with every Leeds player on fire. But actually, there was a player that many felt was better than Piroe – and it was Jayden Bogle, who on the day notched two assists for Leeds.
Bogle has been incredible of late and continued his stunning run of form with another quite incredible display from an attacking sense, taking his tally of goals and assists to 11 goals and assists this season.
One fan posted on X, that Bogle was an “easy MOTM” on the day instead of Piroe, saying the right-back had been “immense”. Another said: “Piroe scores 4, but why am I looking at Bogle with MOTM eyes?”.
“I know Piroe has four goals but Bogle has been unbelievable” were the words of another out-of-breath fan as Leeds ran riot. Another praised Piroe but said that Bogle was “unstoppable” against Stoke today.
With Piroe likely to be man of the match, one fan said that Bogle is “unlucky” that Piroe has scored four goals simply because he deserves the award. An awe-inspiring performance from the £5m addition.
Jayden Bogle’s redemption arc seriously needs discussing
When he first joined, there were doubts over Bogle’s ability to defend in the Premier League. Then, his poor start to life at Elland Road made fans question the signing and even, his place in the team.
But Farke has stuck with Bogle, the right-back starting 42 of Leeds’ 44 games – missing only two through injury and suspension. The former Derby and Sheffield United man has been quite remarkable of late.
Probably, Leeds’ best player against Preston and then again against Stoke. One of the fans mentioned above is right, if Piroe had not scored four goals on the day, without doubt Bogle would be MOTM.
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