Here’s what our YEP Jury had to say about the weekend’s 2-0 win at Home Park, which added to Whites history, as well as praise for Illan Meslier’s achievement and a warning to Leicester City.
Neil Grewer.
A game that began with Leeds in perfect control, then took the lead before the hosts mounted a strong comeback, which the Whites survived before regaining control of the game and finishing with a second goal.
This was a really nice outcome to round off a sequence of long-distance away games with little rest time in between. The recent matchups have taken a mental and physical toll on Cree Summerville, Georginio, and Joe Rodon, who all appear lanky and not at their best.
Fortunately, Illan Meslier has not suffered as others have, and he has been attentive when needed, maintaining a seventh clean sheet out of eight league games this year, which is quite an achievement. Despite obvious fatigue, quality shone through, and Georginio’s second goal, a well-deserved one, came after a subtle swap of positions with Joel Piroe.
Substitutions…a little late, in my opinion, but new legs and momentum demonstrated the squad’s talent and versatility (rather than quantity). Willy Gnonto deserves man of the match recognition for his goal, tracking back, and continual danger.
Man of the Match: Willy Gnonto.
Andy Rhodes
With the long-distance league away excursions behind them, Leeds can return north satisfied with nine points and FA Cup progression.
There were concerns that this run of games would be difficult, but United have not only maintained their winning streak, but have conceded only two goals since the turn of the year. Furthermore, Willy Gnonto’s revival has come at an ideal time for Daniel Farke. His five goals in five games have helped him recover the fans’ affection following a difficult start to the season.
Players are returning to form at the perfect time, with Junior Firpo also stepping up. He has appeared at ease as a left-back, providing calm to defensive situations. Friday night’s game against Leicester will be a tough challenge, but one that Leeds should welcome given their current form. Leeds United is one team that will not be intimidated by the league leaders who are heading to town right now.
Georginio Rutter was named Man of the Match.
DAVID WATKINS
As we’ve stated from the beginning of the year, all Leeds can do is keep winning football games and see where it takes them. Few expected us to win all eight of our league games since then, though! To do so while conceding only one goal is nothing short of incredible.
This was as difficult a game as we’d had in that time. Plymouth are a restricted side, but they persist with it, as seen by three prior matches. Leicester and Ipswich have yet to visit Home Park, so perhaps they can start another undefeated home run to help us out!
The first goal was a little strange, as Georginio’s high up-and-under was brought down brilliantly by Willy Gnonto, who maneuvered it around a defender and stroked it past Hazard while everyone else was still staring up into the sea mist that covered the small coastal pitch.
The second was classic Leeds. Joel Piroe made a slide-rule pass into Georginio’s path, and he finished powerfully low. The woodwork denied a couple more, but it was another three points that kept us in contention for an automatic promotion berth.
Man of the Match: Ethan Ampadu.
Keith Ingham
Six was excellent, seven was fantastic, but eight consecutive wins is an incredible record not accomplished by a Leeds team since the early 1930s. The 2-0 victory may not have been their best performance in this extraordinary run, but with Southampton and Ipswich both winning, it was critical to secure three points before Friday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Leicester City, who lost 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough.
Daniel Farke maintained faith in the starting lineup that thrashed Swansea on Tuesday. The lone change on the bench was new dad Jamie Shackleton replacing Jaidon Anthony. Leeds took the lead within ten minutes. Georginio located Willy Gnonto in the penalty area. Plymouth were more involved in the second half, possibly due to fatigued Leeds minds and legs, but anything that threatened the clean sheet was prevented by Illan Meslier and his defence.
With less than 20 minutes to go, Joel Piroe found Georginio, who shot through the keeper’s legs to seal the victory. The squad may have a rest day before focusing on the team nine points ahead of them.Leicester. What a game that is going to be!
Man of the Match: Georginio Rutter.
MIKE GILL
The old saying ‘all roads lead to Rome’ could apply to the path to the Premier League. It appears like Daniel Farke’s attitude of focusing on United’s own performance is beginning to pay off. The Whites’ brutal run of form caused Ipswich to stumble, followed by Southampton and, on Saturday, Leicester, who slipped up against Middlesbrough at home.
Down in Plymouth, United completed their job by dispatching the Pilgrims as expected. It was not without opposition, and there is much to love about Argyle. Willy Gnonto took his early goal well and can be excused for his later sulking when he was replaced; he is still a young man.
Speaking of young lads, it was nice to see the hardworking Georginio Rutter score a fine individual goal to secure United’s victory following a sticky spell that forced the Leeds defence to demonstrate their composure under pressure. And now there’s plenty time to recover before the exciting home game against Leicester City. Bring it on!
Georginio Rutter was named Man of the Match.
