Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 3 (Bamford 10’, Summerville 52’, 60’ pen)
Rotherham United 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo (Byram 63’), Ampadu (C), Kamara (Cresswell 84’), Bamford (Joseph 75’), Summerville (Piroe 63’), Rodon, Gray, Georginio, Gnonto, Gruev (Roberts 75’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Cooper, Anthony, Gelhardt.
Rotherham: Johansson (GK), Cafu (Eaves 64’), Clucas, Hugill (Rinomhota 64’), Lindsay (Nombe 64’), Peltier, Odoffin, Morrison (C) (Humphreys 78’), Tiehi (Rathbone 87’, Revan, Kioso. Subs not used: Phillips (GK), Wyke, Appiah, Seriki.
Referee: Andrew Madley
Booked: Hugill (Rotherham)
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,261
Leeds United put in a strong display at home to Rotherham United to claim another big three points in the Sky Bet Championship, making it six wins from six league games in 2024 for Daniel Farke’s side.
In this West against South Yorkshire derby, the Whites opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes of the game. Junior Firpo burst down the left and kept his impressive run of assists going, crossing into the box for Patrick Bamford to turn home.
Farke’s side really kept up the pressure and chances were still coming. They put the Millers defence on alert from a number of set-play opportunities, which took multiple attempts to clear from the away side.
The next big opening also came the way of the Whites and was created by the continually threatening Firpo. He won the ball high up the pitch, burst into the box and squared for Crysencio Summerville, but the forward curled narrowly over the bar.
Searching again for a second in the game, Leeds were still on top, and the next opportunity came for Archie Gray. Quick football around the box created the opening and it was Willy Gnonto who found the full-back, but Viktor Johansson stood firm in the visiting net to push the strike away.
Opting to go alone next time, Gnonto sprinted down the right himself and fired at goal, but Johansson was there again to fingertip it narrowly past the post.
In a half that Farke’s side had dominated throughout, they would only take a one goal advantage back to their dressing room, meaning there was still plenty of work to be done in the second half.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Rotherham United
Neither side made a change during the interval and we were back out in West Yorkshire for the second 45 minutes for another battling half of football.
Leeds had a big opening within just a couple of minutes. Gnonto and Summerville combined to create a chance for Bamford, but the striker saw his effort deflected up onto the crossbar, before his attempt from the rebound was blocked.
The Whites wouldn’t be denied a second moments later though! An excellent ball in behind the defence from Georginio was collected by Summerville, who raced into the box before chipping the ball over the onrushing Johansson to double the lead.
Our Dutch winger would have his second goal of the game and United’s third, just a short time later. He was brought down in the box after excellent work from Gnonto to play him the ball, allowing Summerville to step up himself and dispatch the spot-kick, giving his side a clear lead.
Farke then went to his bench following the goals, making multiple changes. He brought on Joel Piroe, Sam Byram, Mateo Joseph and then there was a debut given to January signing Connor Roberts for the final 15 minutes.
Leeds remained on top in the closing stages and did look to further their lead, but also stayed solid in defence to claim a fifth clean sheet from their last six league games.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Rotherham United
