Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Ramazani 4’, Aaronson 7’)
Watford 1 (Baah 47’)
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Junior, Struijk (C), Rodon, Rothwell, Piroe (Joseph 72’), Aaronson, Ramazani (Solomon 14’ (Byram 90’)), Tanaka, Gnonto (James 72’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bamford, Schmidt, Debayo, Crew.
Watford: Bachmann (GK), Sierralta (Porteous 62’), Pollock, Ince, Chakvetadze, Sissoko (C) (Vata 87’), Morris, Baah (Doumbia 87’), Ebosele (Andrews 72’), Larouci (Sema 72’), Kayembe. Subs not used: Bond (GK), Dwomoh, Tikvic, Bayo.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 34,968
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Booked: Tanaka, Firpo (Leeds) Ebosele (Watford)
Leeds United beat Watford on Tuesday evening, making it back-to-back victories in the Sky Bet Championship after first half goals from Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson.
The Hornets looked to stage a second half comeback, but the Whites remained firm to claim all three points at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side got off to the perfect start under the lights in West Yorkshire, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes of the match to take early control of the encounter.
After just four minutes, Junior Firpo burst down the wing and played the ball back to Ramazani. The winger looked up and struck powerfully at goal, too powerfully for Daniel Bachmann in the Watford net who got hands to it, but still couldn’t prevent the ball crossing the line.
Just three minutes later and the lead was doubled. Again it was another quick break forward which saw Willy Gnonto cross low into the box, Bachmann tried to push it clear, but Aaronson was alert and well positioned to fire home the rebound!
The only negative of the opening period for the Whites was the first scorer, Ramazani picking up a knock. The winger received treatment and tried to carry on, but was replaced by Manor Solomon.
Farke’s side controlled much of the game after their early goals, retaining possession, whilst also keeping their attacking intent and pushing forward looking for more.
First up, Gnonto showed superb skill in the box to leave three Watford defenders in his wake, before firing low at goal and forcing a corner. Leeds looked dangerous from the set-plays, with Pascal Struijk Ao Tanaka and Junior Firpo all going close from numbers balls in.
Despite dominating much of the opening half, the home side still had to be alert. Watford did push forward themselves as the whistle approached and a superb save from Illan Meslier prevented Giorgi Chakvetadze’s curling effort from finding the top corner, after he shot from just outside the box.
In the final chance before the break, Gnonto again caused problems to the visiting backline, but this time Bachmann saved well from his powerful strike. The whistle sounded shortly after and sent Leeds in ahead at the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Watford
Starting the second half like the Whites had started the first, Watford were on the front foot and scored quickly. Kwadwo Baah ran into the box and saw his initial cross blocked, but it fell kindly back to him to shoot at close range and find the net.
Following their goal, the Hornets had a spell of pressure in the game. Tom Ince was the next to go close, forcing Meslier to make another good save from his free-kick arrowed towards the top corner.
Leeds then came ever-so-close to responding in the perfect way. Aaronson played Jayden Bogle out wide and his cross evaded everyone, before coming back off the inside of the post. From the rebound Gnonto found Joel Piroe, but the forward saw his strike well saved.
Both teams made changes as the game entered the final 20 minutes. Farke brought both Dan James and Mateo Joseph from his bench, replacing Gnonto and Piroe in his forward line.
The changes had given new impetus and Leeds were well on the front foot again. Aaronson played a clever ball to Solomon who had his shot saved, before James crossed into the box moments later for fellow sub Joseph, who flicked his header just over the bar.
An even clearer chance came in the final 10 minutes, through a superb piece of improvisation from James. He crossed to the back post with a scooped effort, where Joseph was free, only to see Bachmann save well again.
Bachmann was proving difficult to beat in the second half for Leeds. Next to go close and force a save from the ‘keeper was James after a role reversal, where the winger received a good ball from Joseph this time.
A hard-fought match was eventually brought to a close after over eight minutes of added time were played, confirming a big three points for Farke’s side.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Watford