Carabao Cup Round One

Leeds United 4 (Saiz 12, 60, 62, Ekuban 83) Port Vale 1 (Tonge 37)

Samuel Saiz scored a debut hat-trick for Leeds United at Elland Road to send the Whites into the second round of the Carabao Cup at the expense of Port Vale.

Leeds made a good start to the match, winger Stuart Dallas forced an early save from Robert Lainton with a long range effort.

The away side then had a decent opportunity inside seven minutes, on the break Rekeil Pyke got into the box, but he scuffed his effort and Felix Wiedwald makes an easy stop.

Leeds took the lead six minutes later, Dallas’ cross-cum-shot from the left, hit the right post and fell into the path of Samu Saiz on his debut, who found the back of the net via the same post.

On loan defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson making his first appearance for the club, then tried his luck from range, again calling Lainton into action.

Borthwick-Jackson had another chance, after some good build up play from Saiz and Dallas, the full-back fired a volley, but he couldn’t find the target.

Dallas was next to try his luck, he cut inside well from the left, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Caleb Ekuban then saw a shot on the turn blocked in the box before the ball fell to Vurnon Anita on the edge, but he could only fire over.

Against the run of play Port Vale equalised, from a long throw, ex Leeds midfielder Michael Tonge was quickest to react and he found the back of the net, to ensure the two teams went in level at the break.

Half Time: Leeds United 1-1 Port Vale

After the interval, Ronaldo Vieira struck from range, but he couldn’t find the target with his effort.

Ekuban then went close, he chested down well on the edge of the box, before firing at goal, forcing Port Vale substitute Sam Hornby into a good save.

Ezgjan Alioski replaced Hadi Sacko for Leeds and made an immediate impact, forcing Hornby into a great save from the edge of the box.  From the resulting corner Borthwick-Jackson’s header was denied by another fine stop from the Port Vale stopper.

Leeds regained the lead, just after the hour mark, Vieira played in Saiz who superbly took the ball around Hornby and slotted the ball into the empty net.

Two minutes later, Saiz completed his hat-trick, Ekuban gave the ball to the Spaniard in the box and he found the top left corner, to cap off a perfect debut.

Alioski then went close on two occasions.  His effort from range went just over the bar and he again went close when he latched on to substitute Madger Gomes’ cross, but it deflected just wide.

Striker Ekuban then grabbed himself a debut goal, when he finished off Alioski’s solo run and cross with a neat effort, with seven minutes remaining.

Gavin Gunning then saw red for the visitors, after picking up a second yellow card and Saiz saw a long range effort go just over late on, as he searched for a fourth and Leeds’ fifth.

The win sends United into the next round, which will take place on the week commencing Monday 21^st August and ensures Thomas Christiansen maintains his perfect start in charge of the Whites.

Full Time: Leeds United 4-1 Port Vale

Leeds: Wiedwald, Borthwick-Jackson, Ayling (Gomes 70), Shaughnessy, Anita, Vieira, Klich (Bridcutt 58), Dallas, Saiz, Sacko (Alioski 58), Ekuban.  Subs not used: Peacock-Farrell, Wood, Hernandez, Phillips.

Port Vale: Lainton (Hornby 45), Davis, Kay, Pugh (Myers-Harness 80), Forrester (Pope 62), Reeves, Turner, Pyke, Smith, Tonge, Gunning.  Subs not used: Gibbons, Freitas, Calvery, Whitfield.

Referee: P. Bankes

Booked: Gomes (Leeds) Gunning, Pope (Port Vale)

Sent off: Gunning (Port Vale)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 15,431 (801 Port Vale)