Joel Piroe left Michael Bridges laughing in delight after what he did to Willy Gnonto during the warm-up before Leeds United vs Bristol City on Monday night.
Leeds United’s scintillating form continued as they destroyed Bristol City 4-0, a score that flattered the hapless visitors.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated from the opening whistle but were only one ahead at the break courtesy of Ao Tanaka’s smartly taken volley.
You wouldn’t be able to tell that Leeds are already up, given the hunger they played with in the second half, adding a second from Willy Gnonto after he was put through on goal by a spectacular pass from Joel Piroe.
Substitute Largie Ramazani stole the show with a brilliant brace late on to ensure Leeds will be crowned champions on Saturday if they defeat Plymouth Argyle.
Though he didn’t score, Piroe was absolutely fantastic in the match, proving Michael Bridges’ praise for him before the game correct.
As he was discussing Piroe’s season, Bridges was even left impressed by the striker in the warm-up as he nutmegged the man he went on to tee up, Gnonto.
Michael Bridges praises Joel Piroe after Team of the Season snub
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of kick-off at Elland Road, Bridges shared his annoyance over Piroe not being named in the Championship Team of the Season.
He said: “One thing I am disappointed with, from one striker to another, is that the leading scorer in the Championship in Joel Piroe, who got four goals in his last match, is not in there.
“If you’re the top scorer in the Championship, I’m expecting to see your name on that team sheet and being up there.
“I just find it fascinating. For me, he’s one of the most natural goal scorers at Leeds United, but in the division as well.
“He has the ability to do everything. We’ve seen him ping a ball in the back of the net, he’s in the right place at the time, he knows how to do the tap-ins.
As he was speaking, he then noticed that Piroe had stuck the ball between Gnonto’s legs in a pre-match rondo. He continued while laughing: “His intricate footwork, we’ve just seen him get a nutmeg there on Gnonto.”
Bridges compares Piroe to Mark Viduka
Piroe had struggled for form until this past week, having gone nine games without a goal in the Championship.
Yet, he roared back to his best in the 6-0 thrashing of Stoke City on Easter Monday, bagging four of the goals all by himself, something that reminded Bridges of Leeds legend Mark Viduka.
He added: “I just love what he’s all about. The work rate he does up front as well, he knows how to press in the right moments.
“This was him last week, he set the tone with an early hat-trick. I’ve only ever seen one other man do this at Elland Road and that was Mark Viduka when he got four goals against Liverpool.
“So this was a special performance and that’s the only thing that really upsets me from that team.”
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