Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 3 (Bamford 34’, James 45+1, Summerville 67’)

Birmingham City 0 

Leeds: Klaesson (GK), Ampadu, Cooper (C), Kamara, Bamford (Piroe 74’), Summerville (Gnonto 74’), Rodon, James (Anthony 74’), Gray, Georginio (Poveda 85’), Byram (Firpo 18’). Subs not used: Van Den Heuvel (GK), Spence, Gruev, Joseph. 

Birmingham: Ruddy (GK), Buchanan, Sanderson (C), Bacuna, Dembele, J. James (Roberts 62’), Longelo, Stansfield, Sunjic (Gardner 62’), Aiwu, Burke. Subs not used: Etheridge (GK), Jutkiewicz, Miyoshi, Anderson, Oakley, Long, Donovan. 

Referee: Keith Stroud

Booked: Stansfield, Sunjic, Aiwu (Birmingham) 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,086

Leeds United faced Birmingham City at Elland Road on New Year’s Day and started 2024 with celebrations, after a dominant performance.

Goals from Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Crysencio Summerville secured the three points for the Whites and extended the unbeaten home record to 13 matches. 

When we got underway, three early efforts on goal came from Leeds and set the tone, with Georginio Rutter twice going close, before Bamford’s low effort forced John Ruddy to make a good save in the visiting net.  

Forced into an early change, Daniel Farke had to turn to his bench, with Sam Byram being replace by Junior Firpo at full-back due to an injury. 

Up the left-hand-side, Firpo was straight into the action. His link up play with Summerville created problems, which saw the winger force a goo save, before on the rebound, James had his strike blocked when it was heading into the back of the net. 

With just over 10 minutes to go until the break, the Whites did deservedly take the lead! A brilliant back-post cross from James was pinpoint for Bamford, who powered home his header to put his side ahead! 

Then, in stoppage time, the dominance continued and Leeds found a second! Firpo’s influence on the game was growing and his low cross from the left was perfectly placed for James to be the scorer this time, smashing home to double the lead. 

Still with time remaining before the interval, Kris Klaesson was forced into action for the first time. The ‘keeper got down well to palm Siriki Dembele’s powerful low strike to safety, to ensure a two-goal advantage at the break.  

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Birmingham City 

Early in the second half, the Blues had a chance to get back into the game. Dembele was the creator as he played the ball into space for Juninho Bacuna and as he collected the ball, Klaesson was out quickly and made an excellent stop to deny the visiting attacker when one-on-one. 

Leeds continued to threaten at the other end, with the pace of Summerville and James causing issues. From a resulting corner, Liam Cooper forced a save from Ruddy after putting his header on target.

Just moments later and Farke’s side went close again. Summerville was blocked on the edge of the area and the ball fell for Bamford who struck first time, cannoning his effort back off the post. On the follow up, James was denied by a last-ditch block from Lee Buchanan. 

The Whites weren’t to be denied a third though, and it came in style. Georginio played a delightful ball over the defence for Firpo, who claimed his second assist of the game, finding Summerville to slot home into the bottom corner.  

With his side three goals ahead and just over 15 minutes remaining, Farke went to his bench. A big standing ovation was given to Bamford, Summerville and James, as the three scorers were replaced by Joel Piroe, Willy Gnonto and Jaidon Anthony.  

Late chances did then come at either end. Gary Gardner struck a free-kick over the bar for Birmingham and shortly after, from a Leeds corner, Firpo flicked a header onto the post! 

An excellent performance from Leeds confirmed an important three points to begin 2024 with. Next up, the FA Cup campaign begins, with a trip away from home to face Peterborough United.  

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Birmingham City