Leeds United got back to winning ways with a convincing 4-0 win over Oxford United on Saturday afternoon and one player might have just proved his doubters wrong.
Following last weekend’s failure to beat Preston, the pressure was high for Leeds to secure all three points against Oxford, who had recently sacked their manager. Incoming boss Gary Rowett was in the stands.
Leeds were expected to win and it seemed almost a formality from the moment Dan James slid in to tap home Manor Solomon’s excellent pass across the six-yard box. It was 2-0 when Jayden Bogle netted.
A lovely one-two with Brenden Aaronson saw the USA star lay on only his second assist of the season for right-back Bogle, who took his tally to three in a Leeds shirt with a neat finish across the goalkeeper.
Leeds fans are all impressed with struggling Brenden Aaronson
Then, Aaronson got a goal of his own. A gorgeous first touch saw him only have the goalkeeper to beat and he did so with aplomb, his sixth goal of the season. A fourth came from the impressive Solomon.
Leeds’ biggest win of the season in terms of margin and Aaronson will feel, after a string of questionable performances, that he has shown fans what he is capable of when the United States ace is at his best.
Indeed, Leeds fans took to social media after the game to praise Aaronson – and some even suggested the playmaker’s “haters” will have to be quiet on Saturday evening.
One supporter replied to a post from Graham Smyth saying that he is “delighted for Aaronson”. Another took to social media by simply saying you “have to give credit to Aaronson” for his performance.
Indeed, Aaronson often gets his critics regarding a lack of physicality. But the playmaker was in superb form on Saturday, with Aaronson attempting to reach a total of 30 goals and assists this season.
Another Leeds fan posted “great goal, great player, never in doubt”, following the full-time whistle at Elland Road. Aaronson and Solomon were also “balling out” today, according to another supporter.
A win that sees Leeds secure a 10th win from 12 home games at Elland Road, an incredible record that sees Leeds remain right in the mix for automatic promotion in what was the last home game of 2024.
Where Leeds now sit in the Championship table on Saturday night
A brilliant win for Leeds and a really commanding performance, that sees The Whites secure a 12th win from 22 games and pick up a 12th clean sheet. But they were given no favours by promotion contenders.
Sheffield United remain three clear at the top of the Championship thanks to a 2-0 away win over Cardiff City, while Sunderland came from behind to beat Norwich City after The Canaries went down to 10 men.
It was also three points for Scott Parker’s Burnley as Jaidon Anthony and Leeds’ target Josh Brownhill netted to secure a 2-0 win over play-off hopefuls Watford at Turf Moor. As it stands, then.
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