Premier League 2

Middlesbrough 2 (Sykes 50’, 84’)

Leeds United 4 (Dean 3’, Kenneh 18’, Gelhardt 23’, 28’)

Leeds: Caprile, Drameh, McCarron (Gibbon), Jenkins (Allen), Casey (c), Kenneh, Summerville, Greenwood, Gelhardt (Moore), McKinstry, Dean. Subs not used: Van Den Heuvel, Haugland. 

Mark Jackson’s Under 23s side put in an excellent display away at Middlesbrough, to secure another three points and extend their lead at the top of the table.

The Whites raced into a 4-0 lead, inside half an hour of the match and that spell secured the points, despite a second-half fightback from the hosts.

After just three minutes Leeds went into the lead. Crysencio Summerville - who would go on to torment the defence throughout - nutmegged his marker, before pulling the ball back for Max Dean to finish well on his left-foot.

Constantly pressing forward and in search of more, Leeds didn’t have to wait long to double the lead. Stuart McKinstry’s delivery was perfectly placed into the danger area, where Nohan Kenneh was waiting to turn the ball home into the back of Jordan Archer’s net. 

The floodgates were now open and the Whites were looking to take advantage of it. Cody Drameh showed neat footwork in defence, before McKinstry slipped a pass through to Summerville. 

The winger avoided attempts to tackle and bring him down by racing away, then playing the ball to the edge of the box for Gelhardt - who did the rest from there - taking a touch before smashing it low and hard into the back of the net for three.  

Just five minutes later, it was four and the points were on their way back to West Yorkshire. Gelhardt again was the scorer, picking up Summerville’s pass and deciding to curl an effort from outside the box into the far corner. 

The half-time whistle went with Leeds firmly in control.

HALF TIME: Middlesbrough 0-4 Leeds United

Two changes at half-time for the Whites saw Gelhardt and Jack Jenkins replaced by Kris Moore and Charlie Allen. 

Middlesbrough came out with a fighting attitude of their own and looked to find a way back into the match. Frustratingly for Leeds they did just that, as Cain Sykes scored a looping header from a corner. 

Just moments later, Leeds had the opportunity to regain their four goal advantage. McKinstry continued where he left-off in the first half by causing problems and was brought down in the box. Sam Greenwood stepped up but his penalty came back off the post.  

In a half that then brought very few chances, Summerville forced a good save from Archer before Ashley Fletcher was denied down the opposite end. 

Boro did get another goal back late on. It was Sykes again as he cut in on his left-foot and fired into the back of the net with just over five minutes remaining. 

Leeds saw out the remaining five minutes or so and held on to secure another excellent three points, showing why they are worthy of their place at the top of the table. 

FULL TIME: Middlesbrough 2-4 Leeds United

Booked: Dean (Leeds)

Referee: Andrew Miller

Venue: Rockliffe Park