Leeds 4 Ipswich 0 | Leeds...Leeds...Leeds!!!
Leeds United 4 Ipswich Town 0
It was an unchanged starting 11 for Leeds and the pundits on Sky saw no reason for Ipswich to play anything other than their normal game, having done amazingly well after coming up from League One and being ten points clear of 3rd placed Leeds United, with this game marking the halfway point in the season. In the very early stages Ipswich were looking the dominant side and without really doing anything they were very comfortable and looked like the home team. The strange start to the game was a big surprise for me, but when Leeds took an early lead after only 9 minutes the nerves were settled.
Piroe was the first to a header from a corner, and though he misjudged it completely, the ball came off his shoulder and his goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved only for the lurking Pascal Struijk to nod it in from a yard out. It was just the start we were all hoping for and it should have been 2-0 when Dan James was on the end of a good break from defence, but from a promising position to the right of the area, he typically wellied the ball high and wide into the South Stand. Leeds were playing with confidence and looked in determined mood, and were rewarded with a second goal on 28 minutes when our very own Flying Dutchman made a typical run, flat-footing the opposition and sending a beautiful low cross into the 6 yard box and Leif Davis was there to finish superbly. Our former left back was having a great season for Ipswich, and this was a great way for him to thank his former employers for allowing him to leave for gornisht.
“This was a great way for him to thank his former employers for allowing him to leave for gornisht.”
On the stroke of half-time Xmas came early when Davis gave us another present when he brought down the irrepressible Cree Summerville after another devastating run into the box. Piroe being the designated penalty taker stepped up, but it was then given to little Jimmy who thrashed the ball into the roof of the net…the ‘keeper going the wrong way. 3-0 at half time was magnificent and when Piroe scored the 4th in the 53rd minute with a world class finish it was well and truly game over and the last 35 minutes was mostly an exhibition match with Leeds passing the ball around at will, keeping possession and bringing to mind the Southampton 7-0 thrashing dished out by Britain’s greatest ever team.
This was so comfortable for Leeds, they capitalised on their opportunities and were ruthless with a performance that speaks volumes about their auto promo credentials. Piroe was unfortunate to see another effort strike the underside of the bar and later Georgie Rutter had a shot deflected onto the bar. Ipswich were well and truly thrashed and hopefully the defeat will take some air out of their balloon when they face Leicester on Boxing Day. Meslier did not have one save to make, Ipswich did not have one corner, though they were unlucky in the first half when a shot from the edge of the box struck a post.
“Leeds capitalised on their opportunities and were ruthless, with a performance that speaks volumes about their auto promo credentials”
This was a perfect day for Leeds. Everything went for them when so often this season this has not happened, and for once we were brilliant and had the rub of the green. Rutter had a quiet first half an hour but then burst into action and was as influential as Cree, who awarded him with the Bass and Bligh man of the match award…it was 'man' of the match because this is the men’s game and men were playing. Glen Kamara, Archie, Amps, Stuijk and Rodon were all excellent, as was Spence at left back. I would give them all 8/10s. Piroe probably had his best match so far and looked like a midfield player today. Leeds had space, time and freedom and the two away games to come should be similar - the home sides, Preston and WBA, will not park the bus. What a way to go into Xmas and Merry Christmas to you all.