Sam Byram struggles in 4/10, Piroe MOTM – Leeds United player ratings v Stoke
Leeds United beat Stoke City 2-0 in the Championship on Boxing Day to go top of the table.
Daniel Farke made one change to his starting lineup at the bet365 Stadium, dropping Ao Tanaka in favour of Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park.
Joel Piroe wasn’t at his best in the opening 45 minutes but gave the Peacocks the lead just before the break.
Narcis Pelach’s team came out the stronger side in the second half, but the Dutch forward scored his second of the game around the hour mark to seal the points.
Here, MOT Leeds News has handed out player ratings for the Stoke fixture.
Illan Meslier – 5
Meslier was called into action early on in the game but didn’t have much to do over the course of the 90 minutes. While the Frenchman made the regulation saves, he looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet and gave it away on several occasions.
Jayden Bogle – 6
Bogle struggled a bit defensively against the Stoke attackers, but the Englishman’s contribution in the final third more than made up for his errors at the back.
Joe Rodon – 6
Leeds dominated possession against the Potters, and Rodon was instrumental in keeping it ticking. The centre-back wasn’t called to action much but was in the right place when required.
Pascal Struijk – 7
Struijk’s return to the starting lineup was a big boost for the Whites as he ensured Pelach’s team didn’t get the better of him in the air and cleared his lines when needed.
Sam Byram [Off for Isaac Schmidt in the 90th minute] – 4
Byram was the defender Stoke targeted, and the left-back struggled to keep the opposition attackers in check as they ran past him on several occasions.
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Ampadu’s return to the engine room saw the West Yorkshire club dominate possession and maintain solidity at the back.
Joe Rothwell [Off for Ao Tanaka in the 80th minute] – 7
Rothwell was at his consistent best once again, driving the ball forward and creating chances. The 29-year-old constantly threatened the Stoke defence in the final third with his passes and was influential in the middle of the park.
Joel Piroe provides cutting edge in Leeds United win v Stoke
Daniel James [Off for Wilfried Gnonto in the 76th minute] – 8
James has been electric since returning from injury and continued his fine form, trying to make things happen down the left-hand side and the attack and eventually providing the assist for Piroe’s second goal of the fixture.
Brenden Aaronson – 6
Aaronson was desperate to have an impact in the game and tried to make things happen but often found himself at a dead end, giving the ball away.
Manor Solomon [Off for Largie Ramazani in the 76th minute] – 5
Solomon took on the defenders and got the better of them on most occasions, but the one chance he did have to find the back of the net, he missed.
Joel Piroe [Off for Mateo Joseph in the 79th minute] – 9
Piroe looked like a lonesome figure for the majority of the first half but came to life as he gave the Peacocks the lead. The Dutchman was a constant threat in the second half and had several touches in the opposition box as he scored a brace.
Substitutes:
Wilfried Gnonto – 5
Largie Ramazani – 5
Mateo Joseph – N/A
Ao Tanaka – N/A
Isaac Schmidt – N/A
In other Leeds United news, Noel Tornqvist is a name on the Whites’ radar ahead of the January transfer window.
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