Leeds United saved the best until last on Saturday afternoon as they produced their biggest win of the season so far in their final home game, a 4-0 win against Oxford United.
After a draw against Preston, Daniel Farke’s men needed to the pressure on their three promotion rivals. They did just that with a 4-0 win, even if Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland picked up three points.
Dan James, Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon all added to their tallies this season on the day, while Solomon enjoyed his best game in a Leeds shirt – also laying on two assists for Farke’s men.
The win sees Leeds stay in second for Christmas before going to Stoke City on Boxing Day. Chris Wilder’s man are still three clear while Scott Parker’s Burnley beat Watford 2-1 to remain ahead of Sunderland.
One Leeds player catches the eye of Tony Dorigo in big 4-0 win
Aaronson has been a source of frustration for Leeds fans this season. Supporters continue to expect a £25m player in the form of Aaronson, but that is yet to come even when playing in the Championship.
Jon Newsome says Aaronson is failing to live up to his price tag. Yet, on Saturday he took his tally to eight goals and assists this season with a sixth of his own after setting up Bogle to score Leeds’ second goal.
Leeds fans were impressed with Aaronson, as he proved the doubters wrong. Following his goal just after the hour mark, Dorigo heaped praise on Aaronson during commentary on LUTV for showing end product.
“Delighted for him because he works ever so hard, but want we also want to see is the other side of his game,” former Elland Road star Dorigo said in the 67th minute, in his analysis of Aaronson’s goal.
“He’s persisted today, now he has a goal. The run from Piroe is good, Aaronson could move into space and he was found nicely by Solomon. The first touch is brilliant, and the finish is composed,” he added.
Brenden Aaronson’s stats for Leeds United against Oxford
Aaronson, who has now surprisingly clocked up 63 games for Leeds since joining the club back in the summer of 2022, boasts stats of seven goals and five assists in that time. Something that must improve.
On Saturday, he laid on two involvements for the first time in a Leeds shirt and in doing so, has now scored more league goals in one season than ever before. In 2020-21, he got five while with Salzburg.
Brenden Aaronson’s stats for Leeds in win against Oxford:
- 8.6 FotMob rating (joint-third with Jayden Bogle), highest XG (0.85)
- 18 successful passes, four chances created
- Two defensive actions, one interception, three recoveries
- Two duels won, one goal, one assist
But Dorigo is right, Leeds fans need to see a more-polished end product from Aaronson. Farke says he told Aaronson to get his body over the ball at half-time when shooting and clearly, he listened.
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