Leeds United player ratings v Cardiff: 4/10 passenger, Dan James 10/10
Leeds United taught Cardiff City a lesson at Elland Road with an eye-watering 7-0 win.
Surprisingly, Pascal Struijk travelled with the squad on Saturday (1 February) after his return from injury and remained on the bench as an unused substitute.
However, Dan James stole the headlines in West Yorkshire, as he single-handedly dismantled the opposition to ensure the Whites kept their lead at the top of the Championship.
Here are our player ratings from the game:
Ilian Meslier – 6
The Frenchman will be relieved he had little to do at Elland Road. Only two shots on target came his way throughout the 90 minutes.
Jayden Bogle [off for Sam Byram 66′] – 4
While his teammates ran riot against Cardiff, Bogle remained a passenger on the right flank. His usual attacking influence escaped him on Saturday afternoon.
Jayden Bogle struggles in a one-sided Leeds United display
Joe Rodon – 6
Rodon led the defence well alongside his Welsh compatriot but had a relatively straightforward afternoon.
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Ampadu has returned to the first team fold without skipping a beat and helped ease the absence of Struijk at Elland Road. He will be happy with another comfortable 90 minutes of football.
Junior Firpo – 9
Unlike his right-back counterpart, Firpo got himself among the action at Elland Road after assisting three goals on the day paired with a clean sheet.
Ao Tanaka [off for Pascal Struijk 78′] – 7
Tanaka did what he does best at Elland Road, kept the ball moving and kept the opposition at bay all afternoon. His assist for Wilfried Gnonto was the cherry on top of the cake for Tanaka.
Joe Rothwell – 6
Rothwell performed to his reliable as ever standards against Cardiff City. However, his efforts were outshined by his teammates in the rout.
Dan James [off for Wilfried Gnonto 66′] – 10
One goal, two assists – no more needs to be said. James showed everyone why he is the main man at Elland Road as he single-handedly dispatched Cardiff.
Brenden Aaronson – 6
His 6th-minute goal set the tone for the contest but the American international went missing after his contribution. Aaronson kept ticking away against Cardiff but was unable to make much more impact.
Manor Solomon [off for Largie Ramazani 71′] – 7
The Israeli doubled the advantage early in the second half and never looked back, he was a constant thorn in the opposition throughout his 71 minutes on the pitch.
Joel Piroe – 8
A better performance from the Dutchman. His first goal may have come via the penalty spot but he kept asking questions of goalkeeper Jak Alnwick and added another late into stoppage time.
Substitutes
Sam Byram – 5
Although his introduction for Bogle was justified, Byram failed to perform much better than his Whites teammate.
Wilfried Gnonto – 7
The Italian replaced James after 66 minutes and scored a minute later. The definition of an instant impact.
Largie Ramazani – 5
Helped see the game out at Elland Road but found it difficult to make an impact with the game wrapped up.
Mateo Joseph – 6
Unlike his Belgian attacking teammate, Joseph found a way to get his name on the scoresheet at Elland Road.
Pascal Struijk – N/A
In other Leeds news, the Whites have suffered a “massive” loss after new transfer is agreed.
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