Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Joseph 63’, Piroe 82’)
Hull City 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle (Byram 83’), Firpo, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Aaronson, Solomon (Piroe 74’), Joseph (Rothwell 86’), Gnonto (Ramazani 74’), Gruev (Tanaka 86’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Gelhardt, Debayo, Wober.
Hull: Pandur (GK), Coyle (C), Jones, McLoughlin, Giles (Drameh 85’), Zambrano (Simons 78’), Slater (Jarvis 60’), Mehlem, Ömür (Palmer 78’), Bedia (Burstow 85’), Millar. Subs not used: Racioppi (GK), Hughes, Burns, Puerta.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,517
Referee: Gavin Ward
Booked: Rodon, Gruev (Leeds) Millar (Hull)
Leeds United put in a strong performance at home to Hull City and claimed three points after two second half goals, sending the team into the international break in a positive fashion.
Daniel Farke’s side were facing the Tigers in a second successive Yorkshire derby, after defeating Sheffield Wednesday away from home a week earlier.
Both teams came into the clash unbeaten, with Tim Walter’s side seeing their opening three games finish in a draw, whilst the Whites had drawn twice and won once.
When the players emerged from the tunnel, a debut had been handed to Manor Solomon on the left-hand-side, whilst fellow new arrivals Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka were named on the bench.
On the front foot and straight into the action, Solomon linked up well with Junior Firpo and the Spaniard crossed low into the box. Fresh from signing a new four-year deal before the match, Willy Gnonto connected left-footed, but saw his effort blocked in the final moments.
Just after the 20 minute mark had passed and with Leeds on top, looking to create, Gnonto’s left-foot did find the net this time! However, having turned home from Pascal Struijk’s clever touch to him, the Italian was flagged offside.
Pushing forward themselves moments later, the Tigers had their first chance on goal. Joe Rodon appeared to be fouled in the build-up but play was waved on allowing Chris Bedia to strike at goal, only to see Illan Meslier tip his effort over the bar.
With the game edging towards the break, clear chances had become limited. Ilia Gruev and Brenden Aaronson had tried their luck from range without reward, with Liam Millar having a couple of attempts of his own at the other end.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Hull City
Back out for the second 45 minutes, neither team had made a change at the interval and with the score goalless, everything was to play for.
Leeds had the first opening of the second half. Solomon worked space well on the wing and the ball found Aaronson on the edge, but a big group of players from the away side blocked the effort.
Bodies on the line were becoming a strong form of defence for the Tigers. This time it was Mateo Joseph who worked hard and created a chance, from which Firpo struck at goal, seeing his shot require two blocks to finally clear it away.
The battle on the wings was proving to be a regular story in the match. Millar was continuing to be the danger for Hull, whilst Solomon and Gnonto on either side went close for Leeds.
Just after the hour mark, the breakthrough did finally arrive, and it was a first goal of the season for Mateo Joseph! Solomon superbly created it on the wing and whipped in a near post cross, where the Spaniard darted across the front post to cleverly flick the ball home.
With just under 20 minutes to play, it was Farke’s turn to go to his bench. Joel Piroe came on for Solomon, along with a debut for Ramazani who replaced Gnonto down the wing.
The changes were straight into the action and combined quickly, with Ramazani bursting forward, before Piroe found space on the edge of the area but struck wide.
With his next chance though, Piroe calmly and superbly doubled the lead! The move started in defence with Aaronson and Joseph combining to push forward, before Firpo was in space on the wing and cleverly picked out the Dutchman, who showed his composure to finish low with his right foot.
In the closing stages, more changes were made. Sam Byram and Joe Rothwell entered, along with another debut for Japan international Tanaka who arrived on deadline day.
The Whites played out the final moments and retained the ball well, making it back-to-back victories in Yorkshire derbies, both with a two-nil scoreline.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Hull City
