Leeds United player ratings as Ramazani leads explosive start before tight Watford win
Leeds United went to the top of the Championship with a win over Watford at Elland Road on Tuesday night. They could not have started any better with a fourth-minute opener from Largie Ramazani, which Daniel Bachmann could only parry over his own line.
Brenden Aaronson added a second inside seven minutes. A Wilfried Gnonto cross was parried by the goalkeeper into the path of the American and he couldn't miss.
Watford would respond even quicker from the restart. Kwadwo Bahh scored in the 47th minute in what was a very different second half. Leeds eventually did enough to see it out.
Leeds United (4-2-3-1)
1 Illan Meslier
Given one decent save to make in the first half, which he did. Never looked comfortable under the set-piece barrage Watford were hurling down on him. Fairly helpless at close range when they scored their first after the break. 6
2 Jayden Bogle
Was a part of the brilliant start Leeds made. He was marauding with freedom down the right flank. Hit the post inadvertently with a second-half cross. Kept providing brilliant service from the right side. 7
6 Joe Rodon
Solid. Not a lot asked of him by a very mediocre first-half opponent. Should have done much better with the opening goal of the second half. Simply blocked Kwadwo Baah's cross back to him for a strike at goal. 6
5 Pascal Struijk (c)
Was key through the first half in assertively snuffing out any of the Watford danger which did build. Big questions of him with the Watford goal after the break. Baah given too much leeway to get around him and then attack the six-yard box. 7
3 Junior Firpo
Another assist for his tally. Was having a lot of fun in the opening 20 minutes or so, but one of those who seemed to struggle under the Watford fightback. Definitely should have done more to help Struijk with Baah. Lazy and unnecessary yellow followed, ruling him out of Saturday's game. 6
22 Ao Tanaka
Not quite the control of Friday, but a solid shift from the Japanese. Battled well and got about the pitch. Put his foot in. Showed some class at close quarters when he needed to get out of tight spaces. 8
8 Joe Rothwell
Like Tanaka, he didn't have the headlines of Friday, but he was still good in this performance. Battled and proved useful in possession yet again. Had his hands full with Giorgi Chakvetadze. 7
29 Wilfried Gnonto
Looked electric in the opening 15 minutes as Leeds put Watford to the sword. However, he was definitely one of those who went missing as Watford improved. Struggled with some of his defensive work and left Bogle appealing for help. Lost some of his attacking zip in the second half. 7
11 Brenden Aaronson
Didn't hit the same highs as Gnonto, but was more consistent across the 90 minutes. Took his goal well and served up a number of chances for his team-mates. Not always at the sharp end of things, but another big shift. 7
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17 Largie Ramazani
Taken off too early with an injury for a mark, but made a sensational start to the game. Deserved his well-struck goal. Fingers are crossed he's not missing for long. N/A
10 Joel Piroe
Not too involved with the best of the Leeds attacking play. A little isolated at times. Went off the boil in the second period. 6
Substitutes
26 Karl Darlow
7 Daniel James (on for Gnonto 72min)
Really good showing from the bench. Superb deliveries and efforts on goal. Pace was a welcome change to the flow of the game. 8
9 Patrick Bamford
14 Manor Solomon (on for Ramazani 14min)
Decent enough. Evidently rusty in the first half. Improved after the break with his movements and efforts on goal. 7
19 Mateo Joseph (on for Piroe 72min)
Put himself in decent positions, but finishing was off. Missed a sitter inside the six-yard box to bury the game. 6
25 Sam Byram (on for Solomon 90+6min)
Late switch. N/A
33 Isaac Schmidt
37 James Debayo
50 Charlie Crew