Saturday afternoon saw Leeds United produce arguably their best performance of the season as they easily beat a Coventry City side that caused frustration for Leeds last season.
Last term, Leeds suffered a 2-1 loss to Coventry and then could only manage a 1-1 draw at Elland Road against a side that went all the way to the FA Cup semi-finals and within a whisker of beating Man United.
This season, Mark Robins’ side are struggling and after Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Leeds, the Sky Blues have only managed to win one of seven Championship matches. Leeds took full advantage at Elland Road.
Goals from Wilfried Gnonto, Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe saw Leeds comfortably cruise to three points. A win that sees Leeds reach five clean sheets in their seven Championship games, and climb to fifth place.
But for one player on Saturday afternoon, it proved to be a record-breaking day. Junior Firpo managed to do something that no other Leeds United defender has managed since way back in 2001, 23 years ago.
Junior Firpo lays on tenth assist for Leeds in calendar year of 2024
Firpo laid on a tenth assist on Saturday in 2024. A second this season, having created one in the 2-0 win against Hull. The Dominican Republic star produced the perfect cut-back for Italy international Gnonto.
It has taken Firpo’s tally of assists this year to 10, the first Leeds defender to do so since Ian Harte. Back in 2001, Elland Road icon Harte laid on a huge 13 goals as Leeds reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Opta’s Jonny Cooper informed Leeds fans on X that Firpo’s assist for Gnonto sees him become the first to reach double figures in terms of assists since Harte did, 23 years ago. Firpo could even break Harte’s tally.
Firpo redemption arc in full flow, he’s absolutely crucial for Leeds
A couple of years ago, Leeds fans would not have believed it if Firpo was being called a key player for Leeds. But right now, the former Barcelona full-back is one of Leeds’ most-important players right now.
Firpo’s stats for 2024-25 Championship campaign:
- 16/20 tackles successful, dribbled past four times
- 10 interceptions, four blocks
- 11/19 aerials battles won
- 332 out of 403 passes completed
- 11 key passes
Daniel Farke recently described Firpo as a “leader”, and that says everything. The left-back has gone from a fringe player, regularly sidelined through injury, to becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.
To be on the same level as a club legend in the form of Harte, shows just how far Firpo has come. A top player that even played through a knock on the weekend, hopefully he is fit for Norwich on Tuesday.
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