Cardiff 0 Leeds 3 | Leeds...Leeds...Leeds!!!
Cardiff City 0 Leeds United 3
Daniel Farke stuck to a similar formation to last week’s cup win at Peterborough. Bamford was always going to play after the wonder goal made it two goals in two games for him and Amp partnered Rodon again at the back with Gruev having another chance in midfield. Archie returned to right back and it was a big surprise that both Cooper and Cresswell were missing from the bench, so Leeds had no covering centre-back. Cooper must have been unfit and Farke has made it clear Charlie Cresswell has to do more to get into the squad. It was a bold and confident decision after three successive defeats away from home in the league. Leeds had to keep on winning to not lose further ground in the race for automatic promotion; a race that sees them a long way back with the final third of the season on the horizon. Leeds have to at least tread water and hope Ipswich and Southampton slip up eventually. Leicester’s defeat at Coventry in the early kick-off was irrelevant with them still miles clear at the top of the table, 17 points ahead of Leeds at kick off.
Leeds started brightly, as usual, and dominated from the off with Cardiff constantly on the back foot and had the perfect start when Bamford scored again after only 13 minutes, toe-poking the ball into the net as he fell to the ground from 3 yards out. It was a goal that was in complete contrast to the wonder goal last weekend but they all count and this one was of more importance. When Leeds went further ahead after half an hour it was no more than they deserved having threatened a second on a number of occasions with Cardiff well off the pace. Dan James scored yet again, a very similar goal to the opener, a tap in from virtually on the goal line following good work again from Summerville. It was a comfortable first half with Mes, returning in goal following his suspension, having nothing to do on a very cold day in Wales.
“It was a goal that was in complete contrast to the wonder goal last weekend but they all count and this one was of more importance.”
Leeds have fallen foul this season of taking things too easy, once comfortably in front, but there was no chance of that happening with the foot still firmly in the gas from the restart. After some near misses from Leeds and some close calls for Cardiff, Jimmy had the chance of making it three from the penalty spot but his firm shot smacked the base of post and clear. Leeds had plenty of opportunities apart from the penalty to put the game to bed and Cardiff did come back into the game for a part of the second half but without seriously worrying the freezing cold Meslier.
Leeds were running out worthy winners when the game was finally put to bed in the 89th minute. A typically brilliant goal followed a Cardiff corner when James burst through with the ball, carrying it half the length of the field before passing it across to Jimmy out on the left and he turned it in for Rutter, who shimmied and bamboozled the Cardiff defenders before thrashing the ball into the net from 15 yards out. It was just like a brilliant try in Six Nations Rugby. An exhilarating and spectacular goal that had Bielsa written all over it. It was the cherry on the cake and a great win for Leeds after a magnificent performance.
Southampton and Ipswich both won of course but Leeds look very safe for the playoffs at least. Gruev had an excellent game playing in Amp’s midfield role and Amp and Rodon were rocks at the back. Even Junior Firpo didn’t disappoint and Bamford looks to have cemented his place in the side now he has proven his fitness and is scoring goals again. Things are looking good for Leeds but autos still look a long shot.
By David Dean