Report: Leeds United 3-0 Luton Town | OneFootball

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 3 (Byram 10’, Piroe 45+1’, James 81’)

Luton Town 0

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Struijk (C), Rodon, Rothwell (Guilavogui 84’), Piroe (Joseph 69’), Aaronson (Ramazani 84’), Solomon, Tanaka, Byram (Wöber 59’), Gnonto (James 69’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bamford, Debayo, Crew.

Luton: Kaminski (GK), Bell, McGuinness, Moses (Chong 77’), Krauss, Morris (C) (Adebayo 59’), Nakamba (Baptiste 74’), Mengi, Burke (Hashioka 45’), Clark, Brown (Taylor 59’). Subs not used: Krul (GK), Woodrow, Mpanzu, Holmes.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,340 (1,087 away)

Referee: Sam Allison

Booked: Ramazani (Leeds) Hashioka, Clark (Luton)

Leeds United regained their spot at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with a comfortable and convincing three-goal victory over Luton Town under the lights of Elland Road.

A two-goal lead at the break was added to with another in the second half to seal the victory, as the Whites made it six homes wins on the bounce.

Under the lights of Elland Road, Daniel Farke named his starting XI for the game and made just the one change from our last outing, as Willy Gnonto came into the side in place of Dan James.

Both teams began the match looking to use the momentum from the three points they claimed last time out. The Whites won a 3-4 thriller at Swansea, whereas Luton defeated Hull City on home turf with a 1-0 win.

Getting up the pitch and aiming to take the lead early on, a first effort went the way of Leeds. Back in the starting XI after his last-minute winner at the weekend, Gnonto had the chance, but it was deflected and then saved by Thomas Kaminski in the Luton net.

It wouldn’t be long before the visiting ‘keeper was beaten though, with another move down the left-hand-side, ending in spectacular fashion and celebrations from the home fans.

Manor Solomon tricked his way into the box and pulled the ball back for Sam Byram, who saw his first shot deflected up into the air, then decided to scissor-kick a volley first time with the outside of his right-foot, into the bottom corner!

A minute later, all of Elland Road stood to their feet and applauded, clapping and singing in memory of club and footballing legend Gary Speed, on the 13th anniversary of his passing.

The away side looked to hit back and went close, through the well-known Victor Moses. He received the ball in space bursting into the box and chipped it over Illan Meslier, only for Pascal Struijk to make a superbly timed acrobatic clearance off the line.

Still pushing forward and hoping to extend the advantage, Brenden Aaronson and Gnonto were next to have efforts on goal, both of which required action from the Hatters defence to keep them out.

Approaching the break, Luton had a good chance to get back on terms. Carlton Morris cut in from the left and chipped a ball to the back post for Reece Burke, but the defender couldn’t direct his header on goal when well placed.

The Whites did double their lead on the stroke of half-time, from a set-play, just as one minute of added time had been announced!

Joe Rothwell delivered an excellent cross into the box, Struijk rose highest to power a header at goal which Kaminski could only fumble away, before Joel Piroe was well placed to smash home at close range!

The whistle to end the first half blew shortly after and sent Farke’s side in with a two-goal advantage during the interval.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Luton Town

Rob Edwards went to his bench at the break with his team two goals behind. He brought on Daiki Hashioka in place of Burke and the Japanese international introduced himself to the game by instantly getting a yellow card, for a foul on Byram.

A really good chance came the way of Leeds as they looked to add a third. Jayden Bogle played Aaronson down the right, he controlled well and beat his man before crossing low into the box and finding Piroe, but his effort was blocked at close range.

Farke went to his bench on the hour-mark, as did Edwards once more. Max Wober came on in place of the impressive Byram, whilst Joe Taylor and Elijah Adebayo entered for the Hatters.

Roared on by a crowd of 35,340, the hosts went in search of more. Ao Tanaka pushed forward and had two efforts go close, whilst Struijk was inches away from connecting with another dangerous ball across the box.

Next to be introduced in another double change were James and Mateo Joseph. They replaced Gnonto and Piroe, who had caused problems all game for the Luton defence.

The Whites had to remain alert as the minutes ticked down and were given a warning. A corner swung deep into the box found the head to Adebayo, but he couldn’t hit the target as it sailed narrowly over the bar, before the same player forced a good stop out of Meslier moments later.

Inside the final 10 minutes and another stunning goal wrapped up the three points. Bogle played in James over the top, he raced onto it and showed superb composure to lob the ball over Kaminski from range and into the back of the net to make it three and continue his recent fine form.

Despite a largely controlling and dominant performance, there was still work to do to ensure a 10th clean sheet of the season. Meslier made two more excellent saves, both from Adebayo, who had been lively since coming on.

The final whistle did then sound and confirmed a victory for Leeds, after an excellent display which sent the majority of fans inside the ground home happy, and the Whites back to the top of the table.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Luton Town