Leeds United player ratings v Sheffield Wednesday: Crysencio Summerville anonymous with 4/10
Leeds United climbed back into the automatic promotion places in the Championship with an excellent 2-0 win over Hillsborough on Friday 8 March.
Daniel Farke’s side picked a second consecutive win in the league thanks to superb goals from Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto either side of halftime to climb above Ipswich Town and two points behind Leicester City.
The Whites had to survive a couple of late scares as the home side mounted some pressure in the closing exchanges but did what they needed to do to claim all three points and boost their promotion hopes.
MOT Leeds News have rated the players out of 10;
Illan Meslier – 6
Made a huge save in the first half to keep things level when the home side registered a bit of pressure but then nearly cost his team with a dreadful save midway through the second half as he couldn’t deal with the bounce in front of him. If a performance summed up his mixed displays at Elland Road it was this one.
Archie Gray – 7
Farke’s academy gem was afforded plenty of space to get forward from right-back in the first half. He repeatedly made breaking runs beyond Gnonto and put in a couple of excellent balls into the penalty area as he showed that he can be just as effective from defence as he can be in midfield.
Joe Rodon – 7
The Welshman took a big blow to the head when he collided with Firpo in the first half but managed to recover to put in another assured defensive display. He doesn’t tend to come away from challenges or duels without the ball and that was once again true at Hillsborough. Surely Leeds have to find a way to tie him down permanently at Elland Road.
Ethan Ampadu – 9
With Pascal Struijk still sidelined, Ampadu had to continue in the backline alongside Rodon once again at centre-back. Despite being in a deeper role, the 23-year-old still managed to be a creative force going forward as he demonstrated his excellent range of passing. A crucial clearance off of the line saved Meslier’s blushes as he once again produced a captain’s performance.
Junior Firpo – 7
He may not always be the most popular at Elland Road, but the left-back produced a moment of magic to find Bamford in the final minutes of the first half with a wicked ball into the penalty area. He may not be the most consistent, but the Spaniard can change a game at the drop of the hat and that’s exactly what he did on Friday
Ilia Gruev – 7
The Bulgarian International has quickly become one of Farke’s most important players at Elland Road because of his consistent performances in the middle of the park. The 23-year-old seems to win every duel that he enters and very rarely misplaces a pass. He may not be as exciting as the likes of Rutter and Summerville, he is a special player.
Glen Kamara – 6
Like his midfield partner, Kamara broke up play in the middle of the park as he covered every blade of grass in a scrappy game. Alongside Gruev, the Finnish International has formed a magnificent midfield partnership and keeping them both fit could be crucial between now and the end of the season. If he could add that final cutting edge to his game he would be even better.
Wilfried Gnonto – 8
The Italian winger had a slow start but worked hard out of possession and saved Leeds’ blushes with a few excellent interventions. Came alive in the second half and popped up with another away goal in the second half with an excellent finish following a rapid counterattack. Deserved an assist as he found Summerville with an excellent pass.
Will Crysencio Summerville stay at Leeds United beyond the summer?
Crysencio Summerville – 4
Summerville enjoyed an uncharacteristically quiet first half at Hillsborough as Leeds United struggled to break the home side down in the opening exchanges. The Dutchman still worked hard out of possession and had a couple of special touches, but lacked that spark as he missed a couple of big chances including a wonderful one-on-one opportunity in the second half.
Georginio Rutter – 6
Rutter seems to be at his best when deployed just behind a centre-forward and he was once again a livewire for Leeds going forward on Friday night, even if he lacked that final touch. A wonderful pass to assist Gnonto’s goal, but another game without a goal for the Frenchman who needs to start scoring more goals himself as he continues to waste chances.
Patrick Bamford – 9
The man who can do no wrong in 2024. Bamford added to his impressive goal tally on the stroke of halftime with an excellent effort. The Englishman deserved his reward for his hard work in the opening 45 minutes and even showed some bright flashes in the second half including a wonderful touch in the build-up to Gnonto’s goal.
Substitutes
Dan James – N/A
Mateo Joseph – N/A
Connor Roberts – N/A
Joel Piroe – N/A
Sam Byram – N/A
In other Leeds United news, Darren Bent has shared a new promotion jibe live on talkSPORT in a new Wednesday admission
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