Willy Gnonto stuns Sky Sports pundit in crucial part of Leeds United win over Watford to go top
Willy Gnonto was “absolutely excellent” for Leeds United in the crucial early exchanges of the win over Watford, according to Lee Hendrie.
The Sky Sports pundit reacted live on the broadcaster’s match commentary on 22 October as the Italian international burst into the Hornets’ box in the sixth minute and fired a shot inches past the far post.
Brendan Aaronson had stolen the ball in midfield and surged forward, before playing in Gnonto who was close to doubling the Whites’ early lead.
Hendrie said (7.52pm): “Watford have to regain that composure don’t they or this is going to be a long, long evening. Wilfried Gnonto, absolutely excellent. It’s the counter-attack.
“They win the ball back in their own half, but they break quickly, Leeds, don’t they? And then it’s the half-yard, the strike, and it’s inches away from creeping in that far corner.”
Daniel Farke takes Leeds United to Championship summit
Gnonto starred for the Whites early at Elland Road in a bizarre game that ultimately ended with the home side going top of the table for a day at least.
Leeds United had already taken the lead by the time he went close to scoring after Largie Ramazani’s strike from the edge of the box was fumbled over the line by Daniel Bachmann, and the Austrian keeper contributed to the second goal via Aaronson soon after.
Gnonto’s cross was deflected in the seventh minute and Bachmann parried it straight to the American who could hardly miss for what proved to be the winner.
At that stage it looked like Daniel Farke’s men would overrun their opponents on the way to an easy win, but the collective performance took a nose dive after the half and Watford immediately pulled one back through Kwadwo Baah.
Although Jayden Bogle hit a post and Mateo Joseph passed up a glorious chance to make the result safe from an excellent Dan James cross that was how the result stayed.
Despite dominating the first 45 minutes it took two mistakes from the visiting keeper to score the goals which won the game, which perhaps balances out the points dropped at Sunderland with Illan Meslier’s error, and the second period was far more suspect.
Ramazani went off injured as well to add to the questions from the evening, but three points were secured thanks to the early blitz at a time when Gnonto was in the ascendency.
In other Leeds United news, Farke is said to be “adamant” about completing a new signing.
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