Invisible Archie Gray flops with 4/10, sublime Patrick Bamford shines in 9/10 showing – Leeds United player ratings v Peterborough United
Leeds United moved effortlessly into round four of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory at League One high-flyers Peterborough United on Sunday (7 January).
A very rare brace from Ethan Ampadu and an absolutely barnstorming effort from Patrick Bamford was enough for Daniel Farke’s men to put their name into the hat for the next round.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the players out of 10 following the triumph over the Posh.
Kristoffer Klaesson – 5
Had very little to do in the Leeds goal with Peterborough barely laying a glove on the Whites. The few occasions he was called into action the third-choice stopper did look a touch flappy mind.
Jamie Shackleton – 6
A first outing since the back end of October for the versatile Shackleton, who was named at right-back to allow Gray to move into midfield. Peterborough have plenty of pace out wide but Shackleton did his job pretty well on a steady return to the team.
Junior Firpo – 6
Much like Shackleton on the other side, Firpo – whose future at Elland Road is still shrouded in doubt – went about his business with a minimum of fuss.
Joe Rodon – 6
Rodon has been excellent this season for Leeds. The fact that he was barely noticeable this afternoon says way more about Peterborough’s lack of attacking threat than it does about the Wales defender.
Ethan Ampadu – 8
Any thoughts that Ampadu might get a rest did not come to fruition and he now remains an ever-present for Leeds this season. His versatility showed again as he slotted effortlessly into centre-back having played largely in midfield this term. It was another assured performance and he got himself the rarest of doubles!
Ilia Gruev – 6
The Bulgarian midfielder has really struggled to integrate into the team this season, largely due to the form of Ampadu and Glen Kamara. He did his job here with a minimal of fuss but probably didn’t do enough to force his way into the reckoning long term.
Archie Gray – 4
Gray has spent most of the season playing at right-back but Farke opted for a reshuffle that saw the teenager move into midfield. Unfortunately, Gray did not influence the game too much and missed a couple of sitters that he really should have tucked away.
Jaidon Anthony – 5
Anthony hasn’t played a lot of football this season and it showed at times. On occasion he looked like he was hurting the home defence but a couple of his final balls and decision-making was left wanting.
Wilfried Gnonto – 7
Gnonto has turned into somewhat of a forgotten man at times this season for Leeds United but he was afforded an opportunity here and was lively throughout. He put in a great ball for Bamford in the first half that his teammate ought to have scored and really should have had a penalty for a foul from Josh Knight.
Joel Piroe – 5
Piroe would have wanted to make more of an impression here after losing his start berth last time out versus Birmingham. It is hard to imagine this showing here will have earned him a chance to come back in when Leeds return to league action, he was largely quiet.
Patrick Bamford – 9
Whatever you do this evening, make sure you sit down and settle in for the highlights of this game because Bamford’s goal is as good as anything you will see this season. He took down a 60-yard pass on his chest, swivelled and volleyed into the top-right goal. He had a couple of other chances and MOT View: Sublime MOTM gets 9/10, invisible flop scores 4/10 – Leeds player ratings v P’borowas a constant threat for Leeds, which included getting the assist for Ampadu’s opener.
Substitutes
Luke Ayling (on for Shackleton ’77) – N/A
Dan James (on for Gnonto ’85) – N/A
Ian Poveda (on for Anthony ’85) – N/A
Glen Kamara (on for Bamford ’85) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, one thing Bamford did didn’t impress a BBC Sport pundit.