Five things we learned as Leeds United take off the handbrake against Plymouth

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Leeds United returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they swept aside Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle side 3-0 at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s side did the damage during a devastating nine-minute first-half spell, which saw Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brendan Aaronson all score to leave the visitors all at sea when the half-time whistle went.

A stunned Plymouth side had no answer as Leeds were able to kill the game off and hand Rooney a repeat of the 3-0 defeat he suffered in West Yorkshire as Birmingham boss on New Year’s Day.

Here are five talking points from an emphatic win for Leeds United.

Dan James shakes off fitness doubts in style

Farke flagged up the fitness of Dan James in Thursday’s pre-match press conference, citing a hamstring injury that had been bothering the Welsh winger.

Given the indifferent recent form of potential replacement Manor Solomon since the Spurs loanee’s return from injury, fans will have been relieved to see James’ name on the teamsheet and he would quickly put any fears over his fitness to bed.

His opening goal was a thing of beauty and he was then involved in the hosts’ third goal as Farke’s men turned the screw before half-time.

Leeds finally take off the handbrake

Before the match we wondered if this was the game that would see Leeds take off the handbrake and hand out a trashing.

Farke’s side have been one of the more dominant teams in the Championship this term, but a glance at their results sees a number of solid wins, only winning by three goals or more once so far this season, when Coventry were swept aside 3-0 back in September.

After a positive start, the hosts took off the handbrake after half an four, with Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brendan Aaronson all netting in a rampant nine-minute passage of play.

While the Elland Road faithful would have liked another goal to cheer after the break, Leeds simply didn’t need to, as Farke took full advantage of the situation by using his full compliment of substitutes as they cruised to the three points, amid a soundtrack of oles from the home fans.

Wilfried Gnonto sets a new mark

Wilfried Gnonto officially comes of age next week, when he celebrates his 21st birthday on Tuesday.

But the Italian international has been an established player in this Leeds team for some time now and his first-half assist for James’ opener saw him set a new club mark as he became the youngest Leeds player to register 12 assists for the club since a certain Alan Smith in March 2001.

Weakness becomes strength

When Leeds saw central midfield duo Ethan Ampadu and Illa Gruev go down with injuries within days of each other, the pessimists would have thought that the beating heart of this Leeds side could have been ripped out.

Summer signing Ao Tanaka and loan man Joe Rothwell were tasked with replacing two of Leeds’ more senior players and while Rothwell has plenty of experience at this level, his partner was new to English football.

A month later and central midfield looks to be one of the strongest areas of this team, with the duo offering plenty of bite and the ability to push forward. Tanaka in particular is looking like one of the Championship’s best signings this season, with today’s display another classy outing.

With the match won in the second half, Farke was able to hand two midfield debuts out – 34-year-old free agent signing Josuha Guilavogui and academy product Sam Chambers, who at 17 is literally half the age of the former France international. That’s something you don’t see every day. Welsh international Charlie Crew also got his first taste of senior action for the Whites.

If or when Farke has a full compliment of midfielders to choose from this season, the German will have some tough calls to make.

A penny for Wayne Rooney’s thoughts

He may be a Leeds Rhinos fan, but Wayne Rooney will be sick of the sight of Leeds United. His last visit here ended up with a 3-0 defeat of his Birmingham side, with a P45 being dispatched less than 24 hours later.

Throw in his part in the Derby County guard of honour in 2020, plus his 90-minute role in Manchester United’s infamous 1-0 defeat to Simon Grayson’s League One Leeds side in 2010 and today’s defeat was the latest in a series of matches that the Elland Road faithful will revel in.

And they did, with plenty of unrepeatable songs being sung to the former England captain this afternoon.