Leeds United are sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference at the moment, following Wednesday night’s win over Luton Town.
Other than a Pascal Struijk clearance off the line and a Reece Burke back-post header, Leeds were never in danger of conceding while up the other end, Leeds scored three goals in front of an Elland Road crowd.
Sam Byram opened the scoring, a scissor kick which saw Byram earn some praise from Luciano Becchio and Mirco Antenucci. Joel Piroe got the second from close range, his seventh goal of the 24-25 season.
The win was rounded off when Jayden Bogle clipped a ball over the top for his first assist of the season, Dan James chipping Thomas Kaminski who was not far off his line, but the finish was superbly pinpoint.
Dan James is the Championship’s best attacker at the moment
That’s five goals and assist for James for the season, four coming in his last five Championship outings. Two assists and arguably three against Swansea, followed by a gorgeous goal for Leeds on Wednesday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Neil Redfearn said he thinks that James is the best attacking player in the Championship at the moment, above the likes of Borja Sainz who has scored 14 league goals this season.
“When he comes on he goes past his man and scores his goal, lifts it over the keeper. Brilliant. He’s the best attacking player in the Championship without a shadow of doubt, I don’t think you can doubt that.
“People have seen that pedigree throughout his career, he’s now found a place where he can enjoy his football and we’re seeing the best of him. Doesn’t need long to make his mark, always a threat.”
Dan James is on fire, but is the best in the Championship?
There are a handful of players that can contest that. Sainz is certainly one of them as he sits on top of the goalscoring rankings in the Championship by some distance, having a hand in 16 goals so far this season.
Finn Azaz has been on fire for Middlesbrough of late, having a hand in eight goals in his last three games – scoring four, creating four. Teammate Emmanuel Latte Lath has seven goals and assists in his last four.
So there are players with better numbers but given James has only started one of the last three, his stats are impressive. Surely, the Welshman returns to the starting line-up when Leeds take on Blackburn.
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