Leeds United powered to a 3-0 win over Watford at Elland Road to climb into the Championship play-off places. Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the contest.
Winners
Sam Byram
The first goal of his second stint for the Whites and it came at a crucial point in the game. Having seen Joel Piroe give Leeds the advantage a couple of minutes prior, Byram got himself on the end of a superb Dan James corner to nod home and give the Whites the comfort they deserved.
Byram was more of a left winger at times on his return to the starting XI but he was one of Leeds’ most impressive on the day, getting back well when needed and asking constant questions in possession. When he’s fit, the full-back is one of the first names on Farke’s teamsheet now and that’s something few could see coming when he first started training with the Whites in pre-season.
He’s coming into his own in this Leeds side now. Rutter was Leeds’ best player on the day at Elland Road, terrorising the Watford backline with his pace and strength.
He was unfortunate not to score in the first half, drawing a fine stop out of Daniel Bachmann after getting on the end of a Dan James cross, but he found joy in helping others get on the scoresheet. Rutter’s assist for Jaidon Anthony in the closing stages was sumptuous, beating two players in the middle of the park before feeding the Bournemouth loanee.
Rutter is clearly a player that thrives on confidence and he’s oozing it right now as he continues to grow in stature at Elland Road.
Jaidon Anthony
He’s had to be patient since arriving at Elland Road and he was named on the bench once more against Watford, only emerging once the game was won in the 80th minute. He still had the time to make his presence felt on his home debut, though, with a goal in front of the Kop.
Anthony did well to work Daniel Bachmann shortly after stepping onto the pitch, beating two to get a shot away. But, a few minutes later he kept his cool after latching onto a Rutter throughball to score the Whites’ third and give Farke some food for thought ahead of next week’s game with Southampton.
Daniel Farke
A first home win in charge of the Whites, who look to be starting to click into gear under the German now. Leeds were frustrated for 60 minutes by the Hornets, who held their shape and managed to keep the hosts at bay.
But, when the breakthrough eventually came Leeds cut loose and you can’t say they weren’t good value for the 3-0 win. Leeds are up to fifth now and while the Championship is a battle of attrition, it looks as though they are only moving in one direction.
Losers
Charlie Cresswell
Overlooked for a spot in the back four, despite being the only right-footed centre-back option available to Farke. It’s clear that Cresswell is the fourth choice centre-back at the club and right now, it’s hard to see where the game time he needs is coming from.
The defender must be patient but he must make sure he’s ready to step in when he is eventually called upon. The same can be said for Joe Gelhardt who finds himself down the pecking order once more.
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