Report: Leeds United 7-0 Cardiff City | OneFootball

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 7 (Aaronson 6’, Solomon 13’, James 50’, Piroe 65’ pen, 90+5’, Gnonto 67’, Joseph 88’)

Cardiff City 0

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle (Byram 66’), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Rodon, James (Gnonto 66’), Rothwell, Piroe, Aaronson (Joseph 71’), Solomon (Ramazani 71’), Tanaka (Struijk 78’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Guilavogui, Wöber, Gruev.

Cardiff: Alnwick (GK), Goutas, Daland (Bagan 57’), Ralls (C) (Mannsverk 68’), O’Dowda (Fish 81’), Chambers, Robertson, El Ghazi (Salech 57’), Rinomhota, Ashford (Ng 68’), Robinson. Subs not used: Horvath (GK), Willock, Colwill, Reindorf.

Referee: Michael Salisbury

Booked: Rinomhota, O’Dowda (Cardiff)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,810 (1,214)

Leeds United faced Cardiff City at Elland Road in the Sky Bet Championship, kicking off February in style with a thumping win on home turf to seal three points against the Bluebirds.

Elland Road was loud and ready for kick-off, welcoming out their team. Daniel Farke had made two changes from our last outing against Burnley, with Joe Rothwell and Junior Firpo back in the starting XI.

The Whites set the tone early and raced into a quick lead to the delight of the home crowd. Joel Piroe played a left-footed curling pass in behind the Cardiff defence, releasing Dan James who used his pace to latch onto it.

The winger rounded Jak Alnwick in the visiting net who rushed out, but was put off his stride, and with covering defenders coming back to stop him he kept his composure, went past Alnwick again and laid it off for Brenden Aaronson who fired home at close range!

It wouldn’t be long before it was then two for home side, yet again with James superbly assisting by using his pace to break the visiting back line!

Collecting the pass on the right side of the box this time, again from Piroe, the winger looked up and played a pinpoint ball to the back post for Manor Solomon to arrive and fire home, doubling the advantage!

Alnwick was called into action not long after and made an excellent save. James took the shot himself this time, left-footed from the edge of the box which was deflected, only to see the ‘keeper tip it around the post.

Farke’s side were on top and searching for more. Firpo had an effort go wide from a Rothwell corner, then moments later Piroe created room on the edge of the box and struck just past the post.

Approaching the half-way mark, Alnwick was called into action again. James was continuing to torment the Cardiff defence and he powered another effort at goal, which the ‘keeper did well to deny once more.

That was to be that before the break, meaning the home side went in with a two-goal lead after a dominant opening 45 minutes at Elland Road.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Cardiff City

Neither side made a change at the interval as the teams returned from their respective dressing rooms, but there was a quick change to the scoreline as the Whites started strongly once more!

Pushing forward from fullback, Firpo found space on the left wing and fired a low ball to the back of the box, perfectly placed for our number 7 to arrive at the back post and volley it into the net and make it three.

Keeping up the pressure and searching for more, Farke’s side had a chance to further the lead, coming from the penalty spot. James continued to cause the issues to the defence, he was the player brought down by Callum O’Dowda.

Stepping up to take the penalty and join in on the scoring action after playing important roles in the first half efforts, was Piroe, he sent Alnwick the wrong way and slotted home!

That was to be that for James as after a stunning display, he was replaced by Willy Gnonto. Jayden Bogle also made way, with Sam Byram coming on.

Straight into the action and carrying on from where his teammate had left off on the right wing, Gnonto made it five! He cut in from the flank, beat the City defence and fired home left-footed which sparked more jubilant celebrations inside Elland Road!

More changes followed for the Whites. Mateo Joseph and Largie Ramazani now entered the action, they replaced first half scorers, Aaronson and Solomon. Then shortly after, there was a return for Pascal Struijk from injury as he replaced Ao Tanaka.

There was still time for more, as Joseph got in on the act, becoming another player to make a big impact from the bench! Firpo got his second assist of the afternoon, finding his fellow Spaniard with another excellent cross, who finished brilliantly to make it six.

Six then became seven, in a ruthless display of finishing from the Whites! Piroe added his second of the game, tucking home brilliantly again and in doing so, completed a hat-trick of assists for Firpo!

A display that saw seven goals scored was completed upon the sound of the referee blowing his whistle, keeping Leeds United at the top of the table and adding three more big points alongside another clean sheet.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 7-0 Cardiff City