Jayden Bogle was one of a handful of Leeds United players on point as the Whites won 2-0 away at Stoke City on Boxing Day.
Leeds United played Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Boxing Day evening, in front of the Sky Sports cameras as Daniel Farke’s side looked to move top of the Championship table.
Earlier in the day, Sheffield United were beaten by Burnley and so Leeds had a great opportunity to move to the top of the pile.
Last time out, Leeds thrashed Oxford United 4-0 at Elland Road, but the started poorly against Stoke City. The Potters had the better opening 10 minutes before Leeds got a complete hold on the game.
And the Whites were eventually in front through Joel Piroe who smashed home from a tight angle, as Leeds took a deserved lead into half-time.
Stoke started the second half brightly but Leeds eventually killed the game off through Piroe, who headed home his second of the night as Leeds move top of the table with a 2-0 win.
Leeds United player ratings vs Stoke City
Illan Meslier – 6/10
Good save early on before a couple of nervy moments in possession. A very quiet nice for the Frenchman who didn’t have much to do at all.
Sam Byram – 6/10
Barely saw the ball during the first 45 but was neat in possession whenever he had the ball. Some nice link up play with Manor Solomon down the left. Sold as ever.
Pascal Struijk – 7/10
Commanding in the air when he needed to be. Some tidy passing from the back throughout. Stoke had a golden chance in the second half in which Struijk was well beaten by his man. But a decent performance from the Dutchman.
Joe Rodon – 7/10
Good on the ball in the first half. He and Struijk had very little actual defending to do in the first half. Overall solid from the Welshman.
Jayden Bogle – 8/10
Jayden Bogle was by far Leeds’ best player in the first half and perhaps on the night. Much more quiet in the second half as Leeds seemed to focus more down their left. Did play a nice ball forward in the build up to Piroe’s second on the night.
Ethan Ampadu – 7/10
Was always there or thereabouts in the midfield. Combative as ever and good on the ball. Certainly provides a calming presence in the midfield, even if he didn’t do anything spectacular against Stoke.
Joe Rothwell – 7/10
Really tried to dictate play, especially in the first half, by dropping deep and looking to move the ball from side to side. Did burst forward on a couple of occasions on a solid night for the midfielder.
Manor Solomon – 7/10
Looked lively in spells but fluffed his lines to make it 1-0 during the first half. Had a good second half with a handful of really positives bursts forward down the left.
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Brenden Aaronson – 6/10
Some good moments and some poor ones in the no.10 position. Played a very nice ball for Piroe’s opener but saw a lot of the second half pass him by. A couple of bright moments after the break.
Dan James – 8/10
Really involved in the first half. Linked up well with Bogle and played a handful of inviting crosses into the box. Made a really good assist for Piroe’s second on the night, composing himself inside the box.
Joel Piroe – 8/10
Wasn’t looking like a good game for the Dutchman early on. He was isolated and quite sloppy on the ball, but he took his chance very well and opened the scoring. Right place at the right time for an easy second on the night.
Substitutes: Largie Ramazani (6), Wilfried Gnonto (6), Ao Tanaka (6), Mateo Joseph (6).
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