Sky Sports pundit wowed by ‘exquisite’ Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville to virtually guarantee Leeds United win at Rotherham United
Don Goodman was blown away by the “exquisite” link-up play of Leeds United stars Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville to open the scoring at Rotherham United.
The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the Sky Sports match commentary on 24 November as the Frenchman, a surprise starter after being a major doubt ahead of kick-off, sprung his teammate into acres of space down the left, allowing him to cut into the area and curl a sixth-minute opener into the far corner.
And with the Whites having won every Championship game in which they have held a lead so far this season Goodman suggested three points were now almost guaranteed as Daniel Farke’s side are “absolute perfection” in terms of closing out results.
Goodman said (8.08pm): “Credit Summerville, the movement it’s sharp, the pass from [Rutter], the control, and then the finish. It’s exquisite from Leeds United. It’s what you feared for Rotherham. They’ve now got a mountain to climb if they’re going to take anything out of this game.”
He added soon after: “When they’re as good as they’ve become at taking the lead and managing the game, seeing the job through, absolute perfection. And that’s the size of the task facing Rotherham United here.”
Stunning
Returning from the international break with a Friday night game is less than ideal for any manager, so when Farke revealed his star man Rutter was likely to be absent it was a major blow.
But his unexpected return to fitness in time to start proved to be crucial early as his quick reverse pass on receiving the ball from Glen Kamara was superb.
It left Summerville with all the time and space in the world to advance on the Rotherham goal and pick his spot, which he duly took advantage of.
Leeds United can’t afford to get sloppy over the second 45 minutes, but given their record so far this season they will surely be confident of taking the three points required to keep up the pressure on Ipswich and Leicester even after conceding the equaliser just before the half.
The timing of the home side’s goal has threatened to put the pundit’s prediction, and the record with the lead for the season, under threat.
As Goodman suggests the Whites have become experts at making the most of positions of strength under Farke, and although they could have created more from their dominance in possession during the first half there looks to be enough for them to score more.
If their levels drop after the break the manager would be extremely disappointed, but so far the play suggests it may take another piece of magic from Rutter to unlock the hosts’ defence again at the New York Stadium.
In other Leeds United news, an unfamiliar man in the Whites line-up has been backed to succeed at long last after being “found out” so far at Elland Road.