Dan James netted a brace as Leeds United proved Saturday’s defeat to Millwall in The FA Cup was just a blip and had not derailed their momentum, with a massive 4-0 win over Watford.
There was a feeling and a concern among Leeds fans following Saturday’s loss to Alex Neil’s side that the defeat may hamper Leeds’ run of form, which stretches now to a massive 14 games in the Championship.
Leeds last suffered defeat in the Championship when they went to Blackburn Rovers and lost 1-0. Since then, 14 games unbeaten including 10 wins during that period. It is also six clean sheets now, in a row.
James got two, Manor Solomon continued his fine form albeit thanks to a deflection and Joel Piroe got his 14th goal of the season as he tidily finished off a stunning Leeds move that took Watford apart.
Jon Newsome hails performance of Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka
Pundits and fans alike are running out of superlatives to describe Tanaka. The midfielder has got to be considered the Championship signing of the season, bought from German side Dusseldorf for just £3.4m.
Having had a rest on Saturday – even if he did come off the bench – Tanaka returned to the starting line-up on Tuesday night and was “majestic” according to Jon Newsome, who gave his verdict on Radio Leeds.
“Outstanding. Dan James will get the plaudits, could have had a hat-trick. Ao Tanaka, week in week out, majestic the way he dictates the game. Slows it down, quickens it up. We’ve said it all along, what a find.
“What was he doing playing in the second division of the Bundesliga. How has he fallen through the net to end up there? Beyond belief. Surely there are teams where he’s been on their radar. What a footballer.”
Ao Tanaka’s stats in another massive Leeds win vs Watford
It does boggle the mind that not only Leeds were able to sign Tanaka for a bargain fee that cost a quarter of what the club paid for Joel Piroe, but that other clubs did not try to sign Tanaka before Leeds got him.
Ao Tanaka stats for Leeds in win over Watford:
- 81 minutes played, 7.2 FotMob rating
- 57 touches, 32 successful passes, 43 attempted, five passes into final third
- One tackle, one interception, one block, four recoveries
- Four duels won, six attempted
Especially, considering Daniel Farke has said he tried to sign Tanaka 12 months earlier. Clearly, Farke has had his eye on Tanaka for a while and it has paid off. The Japan star is becoming a Leeds icon already.
Next up then for Leeds is promotion rivals Sunderland next Monday, with the Black Cats, Sheffield United and Burnley all in action on Wednesday night. Leeds sit five ahead of the Blades, eight ahead of Burnley.
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