Daniel James dazzles with Illan Meslier spectator – Leeds United player ratings v Plymouth Argyle
Leeds United got back to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road on Saturday.
On the front foot from the very first kick of the game on 2 November, the Whites netted three goals in eight first-half minutes, with Daniel James’ thunderous strike opening the scoring before Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson added to it from close range.
The second half continued in much the same fashion, with United dominating every aspect of the play and keeping Wayne Rooney’s extremely limited Plymouth side at bay.
Farke’s side failed to add to their advantage in the second period but were able to give senior debuts to Josuha Guilavogui, Sam Chambers and Charlie Crew in midfield late on.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the players out of 10 for their performances at Elland Road.
Illan Meslier – 5
Had absolutely nothing to do in the first half as Plymouth failed to register a single shot on goal (compared to Leeds’ 15), Meslier continued to be a spectator in the second period and the few times he was forced into action saw him simply play keep-ball with Rodon and Struijk.
Sam Byram – 7
Switching flanks to right-back following Jayden Bogle’s suspension, Byram was given the freedom to get forward at will and linked up with both James and Gnonto. Byram could have got on the scoresheet himself from debutant Sam Chambers’ cut-back but saw his close-range effort blocked by a crowd of Plymouth defenders.
Joe Rodon – 7
Got forward and did his best to be a threat from a multitude of United corners won throughout the rout, but was unable to test Plymouth keeper Dan Grimshaw with any of his half-chances. As ever, cleaned up at the back whenever the visitors threatened to break through – which was rare – and will be happy with another clean sheet.
Pascal Struijk – 6
Led from the back and the front to provide a constant threat from corners for the Peacocks, particularly in the first half, but did have one minor moment of caution after being caught out at a 50-50 ball before Tanaka stepped in to clean up.
Junior Firpo – 6
If ever there was a game for the attack-hungry Firpo to make constant bursts into the final third, this was the one – and the Dominican Republic international obliged with some great link-up play around the outside of Gnonto and then Solomon. Given very little to do by Plymouth at the other end, Firpo almost added a fourth with a typical run into the Argyle box.
Daniel James sensational in Leeds United v Plymouth demolition
Ao Tanaka – 8
Sat at the base of midfield to keep their weighty possession ticking over, but did get forward on occasion to have two attempts at goal from range. The first stung the palms of Grimshaw between the Plymouth sticks, but the second was woefully wide, and the Japanese international then went back to pulling the strings from deep.
Joe Rothwell – 7
Helped provide a strong basis of control from midfield alongside Tanaka, and was responsible for the two passes sprayed wide to James which led to Piroe and Aaronson’s quick-fire goals. Rothwell continues to slot in brilliantly to Farke’s style of play, and his rangy passes left Plymouth chasing shadows time and time again before he was replaced late on.
Daniel James (off for Manor Solomon, 66′) – 9
Opened the scoring in quite spectacular fashion with an off-balance shot from the edge of the box, and was heavily involved for Aaronson just eight minutes later as the Whites made it three. Plymouth simply couldn’t live with his pace and verve down the right, and any pre-match worries concerning his hamstring were quickly quashed, with James withdrawn on 66 minutes.
Brenden Aaronson (off for Mateo Joseph, 66′) – 7
Popped up all over the place in the final third, as well as dropping deeper to help Tanaka and Rothwell in the (so-called) midfield ‘battle’. Was in the right place at the right time to finish clinically from Piroe’s deflected back heel, and continued to pose a threat well into the second half before being taken off.
Wilfried Gnonto – 7
Teed James up to get the scoring underway following a half-cleared Whites corner, and remained a constant presence in the final third, constantly linking up with his team-mates and drifting all over the pitch. In front of goal, however, Gnonto couldn’t find his shooting boots, dragging a close-range shot wide of the far post.
Joel Piroe (off for Charlie Crew, 87′) – 8
Justified his place in the starting XI with a metronomic first-half display, doubling United’s lead with a classic poacher’s finish from close range, and then trying an audacious back-heel which deflected into Aaronson’s path to make it three. Continued to have sights of goal in the second half, including after he’d dropped deep to accommodate Joseph, but couldn’t find the net again before being withdrawn late on.
Substitutes
Mateo Joseph (on for Brenden Aaronson, 66′) – 6 – Came on with the match already won to lead the line in Piroe’s place, and went close to making it 4-0 with a good effort on the turn late on.
Manor Solomon (on for Daniel James, 66′) – 6 – The Tottenham loanee has been criticised for not quite meeting James’ levels, but did provide some dynamic running off the left after replacing the Welshman and put some dangerous crosses into the box.
Sam Chambers (on for Wilfried Gnonto, 74′) – 7 – The Scotland youth international entered the fray for his United debut, and within seconds came close to getting an assist before Byram’s close-range strike was blocked.
Josuha Guilavogui (on for Joe Rothwell, 75′) – 6 – The recent free agent signing was finally given his first run-out off the bench by Farke, helping Tanaka to maintain control in the middle and forcing a save with a late header from a corner.
Charlie Crew (on for Joel Piroe, 87′) – 7 – A third player of the match to come on for their first Leeds appearance, Crew was also close to the perfect debut with a 20-yard shot which Grimshaw had to tip over the bar at full stretch.
In other Leeds news, the Whites have agreed a new sponsorship deal with one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
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