Leeds United claimed a huge three points in the Championship on Tuesday, beating Middlesbrough 3-1 at Elland Road.
Middlesbrough promised to give Leeds United a tricky game on Tuesday night. But the first half was all Leeds.
Daniel Farke’s side ran riot against Michael Carrick’s men who looked like deers in headlights at times in the first 45.
Wilfried Gnonto was the first on the scoresheet. In truth, though, Leeds could’ve had two or three by half-time.
But the Elland Road faithful was left stunned soon after the restart, with an own goal from Max Wober binging Boro back on level terms.
The game quickly became frustrating for Leeds. Farke held off on making any changes until the 70th minute, but the changes proved fruitful with substitute Joel Piroe sliding Dan James in behind the Boro defence, before the Welshman finished neatly.
In injury time, Brenden Aaronson scored the third on the night, sealing the three points. as Leeds United beat Middlesbrough 3-1 under the lights.
‘Wonderful’ Dan James was electric vs Middlesbrough
James, who LUTV pundit Tony Dorigo described as ‘wonderful’ on Tuesday night, ran Middlesbrough ragged in the first half.
They simply couldn’t keep up with the 27-year-old who had the beating of Boro left-back Neto Borges every time.
And James proved the match-winner too, scoring his fourth Championship goal of the season, in his 14th league appearance of the campaign so far.
On the night, James recorded the joint-most successful dribbles of any Leeds player (two), the third-highest xG of any player on the pitch (0.33), and the joint-most shots on target as well (two).
On top of all that, James won four out of eight duels against Boro, with 40 touches of the ball and 16 accurate passes, and five attempted crosses, highlighting his desire to get into the final third and create chances for his Leeds teammates.
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Leeds United told they have ‘the best attacking player in the Championship’
James, when he plays like he did against Middlesbrough, is unstoppable at times. And his performance on Tuesday backs up previous comments from former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn.
Speaking earlier in the season, Redfearn said Leeds United’s James is the best attacking player in the entire second tier.
Redfearn said: “He’s the best attacking player in the Championship without a shadow of doubt, I don’t think you can doubt that.
“People have seen that pedigree throughout his career, he’s now found a place where he can enjoy his football and we’re seeing the best of him.”
Not only is James rapid, but he showed against Boro that he can create clear-cut chances, as well as finish them off when it matters most.
And in recent weeks, the former Manchester United man has really come into his own, now looking like a vital player for Leeds going into the second half of the campaign.
Leeds now sit in 1st place of the Championship table.
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