Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 3 (James 30’, Piroe 33’, Aaronson 38’)
Plymouth Argyle 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Struijk (C), Rodon, James (Solomon 66’), Rothwell (Guilavogui 75’), Piroe (Crew 86’), Aaronson (Joseph 66’), Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto (Chambers 75’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Schmidt, Debayo, Wober.
Plymouth: Grimshaw (GK), Mumba, Ogbeta (Gray 45’), Houghton (C), Pleguezuelo, Szucs, Hardie (Finn 69’), Forshaw, Sorinola, Roberts, Palsson. Subs not used: Marosi (GK), Whittaker, Wright, Obafemi, Bundu, Al Hajj, Issaka.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 36,066
Referee: David Webb
Booked: n/a
Leeds United faced Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road in the Sky Bet Championship and added another big three points to their tally, after a comfortable win in West Yorkshire.
A blistering first half saw goals from Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson, before a quieter second 45 minutes under the lights allowed for Farke to give three first team debuts!
Leeds came into the game having won three home games on the bounce, whereas the visitors were yet to win on the road from their first six attempts.
Following on from the goalless draw at Bristol City last weekend, Daniel Farke had made just the one change to his starting XI which was an enforced one, as Jayden Bogle missed out through suspension and was replaced by the returning Junior Firpo.
Straight on the front-foot, Joel Piroe had the first chance of the game, flicking over the bar from Ao Tanaka’s clever ball into the box. Moments later and it was both James and Gnonto going close, both cutting inside on separate occasions and narrowly shooting off target.
Just after the 20 minute mark, Leeds came within inches of opening the scoring. Sam Byram drilled in a low cross which found Piroe, he volleyed first time on his right foot, only to see his shot come back off the post.
Farke’s side were on top and Daniel Grimshaw was forced to make a good save in the Pilgrims net, after Tanaka looked up and shot from 25-yards out to test the ‘keeper.
In the 30th minute, the Whites finally had the lead that their early play had deserved, and in some style. From a corner, Gnonto laid the ball off to James, he touched it out his feet and fired into the top corner from 20-yards out!
Just a couple of minutes later and the advantage was doubled! Tanaka’s searching ball into the Plymouth box fell kindly for Piroe, who controlled and clinically toe-poked home into the bottom corner!
Now in full control of the game, the Whites were looking for more, and found more! Piroe tried an audacious back heel in the box and when that was blocked, Aaronson was alert and smashed home a third into the bottom corner.
That was the end of the scoring before the break, not the chances though as Leeds went in search of more, but the whistle sounded and brought an impressive first 45 minutes to a close.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
Back out at Elland Road, the visitors had made a change, bringing on Andre Gray for Nathanael Ogbeta. The home side remained with the same XI that had enjoyed a strong opening half.
Looking to test Grimshaw like he had done earlier, Tanaka struck another 25-yard effort on goal, this time going just over with his dipping effort. A couple of minutes later and James played Gnonto into the box, he struck low, but just past the post.
With around 25 minutes to play, Leeds made a double switch. Having both caused problems all afternoon, James and Aaronson were replaced by Manor Solomon and Mateo Joseph.
Shortly after, another double change followed, with two first team debuts! After progressing through the academy, Sam Chambers entered the action, along with recent signing Josuha Guilavogui. The players to make way were Gnonto and Joe Rothwell.
After the damage had been done in the first half, the second half had been a lot quieter, but that was fine for Farke who saw his team controlling the game throughout.
A final change was still to be made as goalscorer Piroe was replaced, and on for a third debut of the afternoon, Charlie Crew entered the action!
Both looking to make an impact on the scoreline, Crew and Guilavogui each had efforts on goal, but were denied a debut strike.
The whistle sounded and that meant the match was brought to a close, confirming the three points for Farke’s side.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
