Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 4 (Struijk 8’, Davis og 25’, Summerville 45’ pen, Piroe 52’)

Ipswich Town 0 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ampadu, Piroe (Bamford 82’), Kamara (Gruev 73’), Summerville, Rodon, James (Gnonto 61’), Struijk (C), Gray, Georginio (Joseph 82’), Spence (Firpo 73’) Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cooper, Poveda, Gelhardt.

Ipswich: Hladky (GK), Clarke, Davis (Williams 84’), Morsy (C) (Jackson 68’), Burns (Hutchinson 68’), Chaplin, Burgess, Luongo, Hirst (Harness 68’), Broadhead (Ball 68’), Tuanzebe. Subs not used: Walton (GK), Woolfenden, Ladapo, Taylor. 

Referee: Stephen Martin

Booked: James (Leeds) Clarke, Tuanzebe, Broadhead, Ball (Ipswich)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,758 (1,970)

Leeds United produced a top-class performance at home to Ipswich Town in their final game before Christmas, scoring four goals and comfortably dispatching of their Suffolk opponents.

The Whites got off to a near-perfect start, retaining ball early on, looking to get forward and then taking their first chance of the game to go into an eighth minute lead.

Died Spence won his side a corner which was swung into the box by Crysencio Summerville. Joel Piroe rose highest to head at goal, from which Vaclav Hladky made a good save, but Pascal Struijk was the most alert to fire home the rebound!

Just after 20 minutes had passed, the away side registered their first effort on goal. A smart passage of play between Sam Morsy and Conor Chaplin created the chance for Nathan Broadhead, who struck narrowly past the post.

A free-flowing classic counter-attacking move from Farke’s side, brought the second goal, and Elland Road erupted once again. 

It began at the back with Archie Gray, then onto Dan James, then Georginio Rutter, into Glen Kamara, before Summerville sprinted down the wing and crossed into the box, from which Leif Davis turned it into his own net. 

Leeds still had to be alert though and were given a warning moments later. Joint top-scorer for the Blues, Chaplin again looked dangerous, before striking the post with a right-footed effort. 

The teams exchanged attacks but neither goalkeeper saw any further trouble come their way, that was until the match edged closer to the break. 

Another quick break, another goal! James played Summerville into the box and the winger was brought down Davis, who was having a tough return to Elland Road, and a penalty was awarded. Netting his 11th of the campaign, Summerville stepped up himself and found the top corner. 

That made it three at the interval and completed what had been a thoroughly impressive first half performance from the hosts.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Ipswich Town

Neither side made a change to start the second half, as they went out to battle for another 45 minutes. A quick chance came the way of Piroe and after some clever footwork, he rattled the underside of the bar with his right-footed strike. 

Piroe wouldn’t be denied his goal moments later though, becoming the third of our Dutchmen on the scoresheet. Again showing clever footwork on the edge of the box, Piroe crafted a chance and smashed home into the bottom corner to make it four. 

Leeds were dominating and on top, pushing forward and looking for more. Willy Gnonto entered the action in place of James who had caused issues throughout. 

Hitting the woodwork again, the Whites nearly made it five. Spence and Summerville linked up well, with the latter laying it off for Georginio to strike, which hit the bar. 

The large majority of the 36,758 strong crowd inside Elland Road were enjoying the action as the minutes ticked by. Final changes arrived, with Junior Firpo, Ilia Gruev, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph all coming on. 

Farke’s side remained in control and continued to dominate the ball, whilst also looking for further chances, but also staying calm to keep their clean sheet. 

The final whistle sounded brought an impressive 90 minutes to a close, which had seen four goals, three points, and plenty of enjoyable festive football.  

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-0 Ipswich Town