Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 3 (Bamford 10, Alioski 56, Harrison 71)

Fulham 0

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Costa (Alioski 45), Klich (Douglas 80), Roberts, Harrison (Poveda 83), Bamford (Hernandez 45) (Shackleton 90+2).  Subs not used: Berardi, Miazek, Struijk, Stevens. 

Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan (Johansen 75), Reed, Arter (Kebano 63), Knockaert (Cavaleiro 70), Cairney (Onomah 75), Decordova-Reid (Le Marchand 75), Mitrovic.  Subs not used: Bettinellli, McDonald, Christie, Sessegnon. 

Booked: Alioski, Phillips (Leeds), Knockaert, Kebano, Cavaleiro (Fulham)

Sent off: Kebano

Referee: T. Harringon

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors

Leeds United recorded a massive Sky Bet Championship win at Elland Road against Fulham, to move back to the top of the table, increasing the gap to third place to eight points.

In the first game at Elland Road ever played behind-closed-doors, there was controversy in the opening minutes when Ben White appeared to be elbowed by Aleksandar Mitrovic in the face, but the incident was missed by the officials.

The Cottagers had the first chance of the game when Mitrovic played the ball into the path of Anthony Knockaert, who flashed an effort just wide from the edge of the box.

Just moments after, Leeds took the lead.  Helder Costa cut the ball back and Patrick Bamford superbly found the bottom corner with a neat first time strike.

Fulham piled on the pressure after the goal, first Knockaert struck wide from distance, before Mitrovic hit a half volley just off target from the edge of the box.

At the other end, Kalvin Phillips forced Marek Rodak into a good save with a well hit free-kick from 35 yards.

Fulham tested Leeds stopper Illan Meslier, who did well to save a Knockaert volley, before the hosts through they should have had penalty for hand-ball following a free kick in the 34^th minute.

Scott Parker’s side continued to press before the break, with Knockaert doing well to work room for a shot, but not finding the target and Mitrovic forcing Meslier into action with a stinging half volley.

Mitrovic then headed off target when well placed at a corner and Joe Bryan curled an effort just wide from 25 yards, with Fulham dominating.

Against the run of play, Leeds almost added a second goal.  Patrick Bamford broke through on goal, beating the offside trap and he lifted the ball over the out-coming Rodak, but saw his strike bounce inches wide.

Half time: Leeds United 1-0 Fulham

Marcelo Bielsa switched things around at half time with Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez replacing Costa and Bamford and the Whites made a positive start to the second period.  Roberts, now moved to the striking role hit a first time effort across goal and just wide.

Leeds almost capped a fine move in style soon after when Klich sent Roberts away and he cut the ball back to Harrison, who saw his shot deflect just inches wide.

Knockaert tested Meslier with a free kick from 25 yards, with the French stopper tipping over and from the resulting Fulham corner Leeds countered and doubled the advantage.  Breaking up the pitch, Fulham failed to deal with Harrison’s low ball into the box and it found its way to substitute Alioski who fired home.

Hernandez saw a cross head towards the Fulham goal, forcing Rodak into a save, whilst Fulham threatened, when substitute Neeskens Kebano forced a save from Meslier after driving forwards.

Leeds sealed the win in the 71^st minute when Hernandez provided a wonderful pass to send Harrison through on goal and his shot got the better of Rodak, finding the back of the net.

The Whites saw out the closing stages, with both sides making changes in the final quarter, but things went from bad to worse for Fulham, with Kebano shown a second yellow card and given his marching orders. 

Victory sees the Whites go 10 points above Fulham in the league and firmly in the automatic promotion spots with seven games remaining.

Full time: Leeds United 3-0 Fulham