Mateo Joseph finally got his name on the score sheet for a second time on Friday night as he came off the bench to score for Leeds United against Sheffield United.
A brilliant goal, that saw Joel Piroe shine. The Dutch striker’s run of form continued as he dropped into the striker drop into the no.10 role, often where he has been criticised, and lay a perfect pass for Joseph.
Joseph thanked Piroe for his assist after the match, and it would have meant a lot for the £16m star after Sheffield United tried to disrupt Piroe in the summer. Leeds‘ second, after Pascal Struijk’s superb opener.
But it was only Joseph’s second goal of the season, despite starting the first eight Championship games. While the Spain U21 striker has four goals for his country this season, he’s only scored twice for Leeds.
Tony Dorigo defends Mateo Joseph despite his lack of Leeds goals
Joseph also has three assists this season, two of which came in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. But Joseph has just five goals in 42 appearances for Leeds throughout his career and it saw him dropped.
Indeed, Piroe has now started the last two Championship games. He scored against Sunderland and then his assist against Sheffield United means he will start against Watford, but Dorigo defended Joseph.
During commentary on LUTV after Joseph’s goal, Dorigo said he’s deserved more: “I’m really delighted for Mateo Joseph. Played really well this season without getting the goals his performances have merited.
“But he’s come on there and shown great strength. The strength, the composure, the finish past Cooper to give us a two-goal advantage. Brilliant goal,” Dorigo continued, on the former England youth player.
Mateo Joseph is Championship’s 11th best in goal involvements
While he only has two goals in 10 Championship appearances this season, Joseph’s three assists mean he is Leeds’ third best in terms of goals and assists behind Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto who each have six.
| Name | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Borja Sainz | Norwich | 10 (10 starts) | 7 | 2 |
| Josh Maja | West Brom | 10 (10 starts) | 7 | 1 |
| Josh Sargent | Norwich | 10 (10 starts) | 4 | 4 |
| Duncan Watmore | Millwall | 10 (9 starts) | 5 | 1 |
| Wilfried Gnonto | Leeds | 10 (10 starts) | 2 | 4 |
| Josh Brownhill | Burnley | 10 (10 starts) | 5 | 1 |
| Joel Piroe | Leeds | 10 (3 starts) | 4 | 2 |
| Callum Lang | Portsmouth | 7 (7 starts) | 4 | 1 |
| Tom Fellows | West Brom | 10 (9 starts) | 0 | 5 |
| Gustavo Hamer | Sheffield United | 10 (9 starts) | 4 | 1 |
| Mateo Joseph | Leeds | 10 (8 starts) | 2 | 3 |
Brenden Aaronson might be forgiven for not being at his best on Friday night. The American had played 93 minutes for the United States in the early hours of Wednesday morning during a 2-0 loss to Mexico.
But on Tuesday, he may be in need of a rest and surely, there is a way in which Farke can bring in Piroe in the 10 role and start Joseph up top in order to incorporate both as Leeds prepare to welcome Watford.
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