Leeds United clocked up their tenth Championship win of the season and returned to the top of the table with an easy 3-0 win over Luton Town at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
About as routine as it gets for Daniel Farke’s side. Leeds had slipped to fourth without kicking a ball on Tuesday night, with Sheffield United and Burnley both winning games and Sunderland picking up a point.
But three points were never in doubt. Leeds cruised to a 3-0 home win and a tenth clean sheet in their 17th Championship game of the season, making it three wins in a row after beating Swansea and QPR.
Sam Byram gave Leeds the lead early on with a stunning scissor kick, before a second came from a set-piece. Pascal Struijk’s header was parried, Joel Piroe tapping in before Dan James made it 3-0 with a chip.
Joe Rothwell shines in the middle of the park for Leeds, again
The on-loan Bournemouth star was perhaps, not at his best in Wales on Sunday. But he was back to his tempo-dictating antics on Wednesday night, constantly creating and passing forward for The Whites.
Stuart Dallas thinks Rothwell will cause Daniel Farke headaches when Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev are back and on this showing, he will. Leeds fans had their say on Rothwell on social media after the victory.
Leeds fans were in awe on X, one posting that it is “so good to watch” Rothwell “glide” around the pitch with the ball at his feet, as the Bournemouth ace creates from deep. Another said he was “oozing class”.
A slightly exaggerating supporter compared Ao Tanaka and Rothwell to “prime Iniesta and Xavi” after his performance which sees Leeds sit ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference, 35 points from 17 games.
Kalvin Phillips was described as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ during his form under Marcelo Bielsa, but one fan said Rothwell is the “Championship Pirlo” afterwards, with a trip to Blackburn up next for Leeds and Rothwell.
Joe Rothwell’s stats for Leeds in win over Luton Town
Another solid performance from Rothwell then, and some Leeds fans will be wondering about a deal to keep Rothwell. Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News that promotion is key to Leeds signing Rothwell.
Joe Rothwell’s stats for Leeds in easy win v Luton:
- 100 touches, XG+XA: 0.24
- 82 successful passes, 89 attempted (92%)
- One duel won, two attempted, one dribble
- Two chances created, 14 passes into final third
- Six accurate long balls, six attempted (100%)
Whether there is scope for a deal to be done for Rothwell, or whether Leeds are actually interested in a permanent move, remains to be seen. Rothwell is due to enter his thirties shortly after the new year.
But, Rothwell adds a different dimension at Leeds and it is clear to see why Farke brought him in. Farke said that Rothwell is “proving his worth” after criticism regarding his signing, and he showed it again.
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