Full Time: Leeds United 3-2 Ipswich Town
Leeds United continued their excellent start to the campaign, as they defeated Ipswich Town 3-2 in a hard-fought encounter at the Elland Road, on Saturday.
It just took 13 minutes for the Whites to break open the Ipswich defence, as Conor Shaughnessy played in Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who made no mistake to put his team 1-0 up. David McGoldrick brought the visitors back into the game, leveling things up at the half-hour mark. However, the home team bounced back immediately, as Kalvin Phillips pounced upon a mistake from the opposition defence to slot home from a tight angle.
Ipswich goalie Bartosz Bialkowski then scored an own goal to make it 3-1 in the 68th minute, but Joe Garner then pulled one back within three minutes, scoring off a rebound after Felix Wiedwald denied Dominic Iorfa. Leeds managed to see out the game safely, to take three more points.
The win means that Thomas Christiansen’s side continue to sit at the top of the EFL Championship table, albeit on goal difference, with Wolves and Cardiff gathering same number of points as the Yorkshire based outfit.
Here’s how the Leeds players fared on the day:
Leeds United Player Ratings
Felix Wiedwald – 6/10
Fine save at 2-1 to deny McGoldrick in the second half. Showed good footwork, but could have done slightly better for the second goal.
Luke Ayling – 7/10
Produced a fine tackle on McGoldrick before the equaliser. Provided his trademark energy and forward runs down the right-hand side.
Conor Shaughnessy – 6.5/10
Brilliant through ball to find Lasogga for the opener. However, he invited pressure at times holding on to the ball a little longer than needed.
Liam Cooper – 7/10
Returned to the line-up after his injury and put in a solid shift at the back. Made an important block in the second period. Booked.
Vurnon Anita – 5/10
Made a goal-line clearance on the verge of half-time. But apart from that, he struggled at left-back and was taken off.
Eunan O’Kane – 8/10
Continues to grow with each game. Another solid display in the midfield, where he stood strong, allowing his more creative teammates to flourish.
Kalvin Phillips – 7.5/10
Showed alertness to pounce upon a mistake and score the second goal for Leeds – his fourth of the campaign already. Did the defensive duties well, more so after the break.
Ezgjan Alioski – 6.5/10
There were a couple of moments of quality here and there and was more involved after the break, but has shown he can do much better.
Samu Saiz – 7.5/10
May not have been at his best, but was still a threat at the top. His link-up play with the rest of the attacking partners was exciting to watch.
Pablo Hernandez – 7.5/10
Looked up to the task from the go. His backheel flick before half-time to create a chance for Saiz was delightful. Was subbed off late.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga – 6/10
Clinically dispatched his first chance of the game to open the scoring. But did very little of note after that.
Substitutes
Gaetano Berardi – 6/10
Replaced Anita at the hour mark. Fared better than the Dutchman.
Stuart Dallas – N/A
Came on for Hernandez for the final 15 mins.
Jay-Ray Grot – N/A
Replaced Lasogga late on.