Leeds United lost back to back league games for the first time since September as they fell to 2 second half goals to see defeat at the hands of Cardiff City at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
Following last weekend’s Yorkshire derby loss to Huddersfield Town, the Whites were expected to bounce right back at home, but it wasn’t the case as their former manager Neil Warnock had other plans.
Following a goalless first half which the hosts had dominated but made nothing of, Cardiff opened the scoring from a set piece in the 53rd minute after Morrison headed in Craig Noone’s freekick.
Sacko’s introduction further added gloss to a Leeds attack that had failed to make much of their chances, and the Lisbon-loanee played in a great pass to Wood in what was the hosts’ best moment of the game. The New Zealand forward couldn’t make much of it, though, and they got punished for it.
Ronaldo Vieira was robbed of possession and Gunnarson wasted no time to put in a through ball to Zahore whose great finish put the game to bed with some 20 minutes to go.
Leeds barely threatened afterwards and were dealt another blow minutes later when Captain Bridcutt got sent off for a 2nd bookable offence.
The result saw them retain their 5th position, but they are now at the danger of dropping off the playoff zone with Sheffield and Norwich City closely behind them.
We take a look at how Monk’s charges performed in their 11th Championship loss of the season.
Green
Was helplessly well beaten by the 2 goals, but he couldn’t have been faulted for either.
Rating: 6/10
Cooper
Squandered a chance to grab an opener as he filled in for Jansson at the back.
His struggles were evident as Leeds clearly were 2nd best compared to Cardiff’s defence.
Rating: 5/10
Bartley
Failed to properly close down Gunnarson as Cardiff grabbed the 2nd and he was well below par generally.
Rating: 5/10
Ayling
Often lost possession needlessly but helped contribute to the attack down the right.
Rating: 5/10
Berardi
Was solid defensively keeping his own end on the left tight, but he did little offensively, and Leeds can’t wait to have Taylor back.
Rating: 6/10
Vieira
Killed any hopes of a comeback for Leeds the moment he allowed himself to be dispossessed.
Rating: 3/10
Dallas
Impressed in the opening 45 as he was about the only Leeds player who looked to make something happen in the final third.
Rating: 6/10
Bridcutt
Despite receiving a late sending off that had little effect on the game, his performance was poor as he couldn’t retain possession, allowing Cardiff chances.
Rating: 3/10
Hernández
For all his creativity, his distributions let him down and he should have done much better.
Rating: 5/10
Pedraza
Got a rare start and full league debut but wasn’t able to make much of an impression as he hardly saw the ball.
Rating: 5/10
Wood
Leeds are perhaps unable to score whenever he is unable too.
Wasn’t properly served and that was all the visitors needed to make sure happened to shut out the hosts.
Rating: 5/10
SUBSTITUTES
Sacko
Was a threat on his wing with his power and pace but nothing came out of it all in the end.
Rating: 5/10
Roofe
Put in a performance that might have helped the team if he had started.
Rating: 5/10
Doukara
Came on in the closing stages of the game but wasn’t able to help inspire a change.
Rating: Not Available