Daniel James weak link with 5/10 as Crysencio Summerville stars with 9/10 – Leeds United player ratings v Ipswich Town
Leeds United closed the gap on second-placed Ipswich Town to seven points with a thumping 4-0 victory in Saturday’s (23 December) Championship contest at Elland Road.
The Whites had lost and drawn their previous two games heading into what was effectively a must-win match, but they produced one of their finest displays of the campaign.
Pascal Struijk opened the scoring early on and Leif Davis put the ball into his own net following some great work from Crysencio Summerville, who added a third from the penalty spot before half-time.
Joel Piroe put Leeds four goals ahead early in the second half and that is how the scoreline remained on a day that saw the automatic promotion race blown wide open again.
Here, MOT Leeds rates the performances of each United player using stats provided by WhoScored and Sofascore.
Illan Meslier – 6
The Leeds number one had so very little to do all afternoon. Indeed, Ipswich did not manage a single shot on target in the one-sided affair.
Archie Gray – 7
Showed brilliant reactionary skills to cut out an Ipswich pass in the build-up to Leeds’ fourth goal. That was one of two interceptions he registered, while also recording 73 touches, which only Struijk (80) could better among Leeds players.
Joe Rodon – 7
A rock in the heart of Leeds’ defence as ever, with no player able to match his four clearances. Ipswich offered very little attacking threat, but Rodon did what he had to to keep the opposition quiet.
Pascal Struijk – 8
The clean sheet may well have been the most pleasing aspect of the game for Struijk, but he also showed he can make an impact at the other end with his fourth goal of the season. His reactions to get on the loose ball for Leeds’ opener was hailed as “not normal” by former Leeds full-back Aidy White on talkSPORT.
Djed Spence – 8
Starting to find his feet now after a run of games. No player registered more dribbles than the Tottenham loanee’s four as he constantly got up and down the pitch. To highlight his all-around game, he also led the way for tackles (three).
Ethan Ampadu – 7
Did what he does best in breaking up opposition attacks and keeping play ticking along. Ended with a passing accuracy of 87.2 per cent, which was bettered only by centre-backs Rodon and Struijk (both 90). He will have busier afternoons than this one.
Glen Kamara – 6
For better or worse, he did not exactly catch the eye. Again, though, this was a day in which Leeds’ attacking players particularly stood out, whereas the holding midfielders just did what they had to.
Daniel James – 5
The weakest of Leeds’ attackers today, but that is more down to how impressive the other three were. Did not complete any dribbles, get a shot on target or record any key passes. Still, he will rightly find himself on the team sheet against Preston for the next game.
Joel Piroe – 8
Was lively throughout, registering a game-high two shots on target, and he was rewarded with his goal that capped a day to remember for Leeds. Only negative was the fact he was wayward with more than half of his passes, but he is not exactly in the team to keep things ticking along.
Crysencio Summerville – 9
Yet another delightful display from Summerville, who is arguably the most fearsome attacker in the Championship. Played a huge part in Leeds’ second goal, albeit without being credited with the assist for the own goal, but he did find the net from the penalty spot. Led the way with two key passes.
Georginio Rutter – 7
An incredibly unselfish player who helps get the most out of James, Piroe and Summerville. Case in point was his part in the build-up to the own goal when slotting in Summerville after holding the ball up. Will perhaps be disappointed not to have managed a shot, but does not really matter when Leeds scored four times.
Subs
Wilfried Gnonto (on for Daniel James 61′) – 5
Was brought on for James with around half an hour to play, but did not really do much of note to justify coming into the starting line-up. Was not helped by the fact Leeds were content at four nil up.
Ilia Gruev (on for Glen Kamara 73′) – N/A
Junior Firpo (on for Djed Spence 73′) – N/A
Mateo Joseph (on for Georginio Rutter 82′) – N/A
Patrick Bamford (on for Joel Piroe 82′) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT pundit was left amazed by something he saw a Whites player do against Ipswich.