Leeds United produced another sparkling performance to take another step towards promotion to the Premier League, and below are the winners and losers from the 4-0 win over Watford.
A brace from Dan James stole the show while Joel Piroe and Manor Solomon added to their tallies to win for the 20th time in the Championship, as Leeds go 14 league games unbeaten, six clean sheets in a row.
There were some excellent performances and some meaningful ones too, as Leeds pile the pressure on Sheffield United and Burnley ahead of games tonight. Below, are the winners and losers from the game.
Winners from Leeds United’s 4-0 win over Watford last night
Joel Piroe
Not only did Piroe get his name on the score sheet again, scoring a fourth goal in three Championship games, but Piroe matched last season’s tally with his 14th goal of the season for Leeds during the 4-0 win.
Daniel Farke says he’s “not happy” with Piroe, thinking he should have more goals. But Piroe can be very happy with his tally this term, already matching last season’s tally of 14, laying on twice as many assists.
Ilia Gruev
With Pascal Struijk playing 90 minutes at Watford, LeedsUnited.News predicted Struijk would come into the side at Watford. Especially, as Farke said Ethan Ampadu is not a long-term option at centre-back.
But Farke chose to keep Ampadu in defence alongside Joe Rodon. It meant Ilia Gruev continued in the middle of the park to provide that defensive steel in place of Ampadu, and the Bulgarian was excellent.
Illan Meslier
The Frenchman has been in stunning form since Farke defended £5m signing Meslier after his showing against Hull. Six clean sheets in a row, producing a number of decent saves at Watford on Tuesday night.
It might not have been his best showing in that run, with Meslier making two world-class saves against Coventry. But he continues that run and in turn, dispels more criticism and doubts among supporters.
Losers from Leeds United’s win at Watford, despite 4-0 scoreline
Mateo Joseph
Joseph ended a three-month goal drought in the win over Cardiff City but Joseph struggled in The FA Cup against Millwall, with Farke admitting Joseph had failed to take his chance against Alex Neil’s men.
With his chance coming and going, Piroe was re-inserted on Tuesday night and the Dutchman was in excellent form again. While Piroe continues to score goals, there is no chance of Joseph coming back in.
Pascal Struijk
As aforementioned, it was expected that Struijk would come in alongside Joe Rodon but the Dutchman was a substitute again. Leeds have continued their run of clean sheets and as they do say, it won’t change.
So, with Leeds producing another to-nil result, Struijk will remain on the bench. Why change a defence when it is playing to absolute perfection – even if Struijk remains one of the club’s best players.
Isaac Schmidt
Of all the players to start on Saturday, £4.6m signing Schmidt was probably the pick of the bunch. Some gorgeous touches and unlucky not to get an assist for Sam Chambers, Schmidt starred in his second start.
That might have given him some hope that he would get game time against Watford especially given Leeds were miles in front of Watford. Instead, Schmidt was snubbed by Farke and stayed an unused sub.
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