Daniel Farke suggested that the 4-0 scoreline did not reflect Leeds United’s dominance against Watford on Tuesday evening - but supporters won't mind.

Daniel James took his goal tally to 10 for the season with his brace before fellow winger Manor Solomon made it 3-0 before half-time. Joel Piroe also got in on the act after setting up James’ second.

It was a clinical display for the visitors. There are a lot of talking points to come out of the plundering of Vicarage Road.

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Pressure applied

Ahead of the match, Leeds knew that a win would take them eight points clear of the play-offs, with Burnley not playing until this evening. And they did so in style, meaning they are also five points ahead of Sheffield United in second.

The result plonks the pressure right on the chasing promotion pack for tonight’s fixtures. Not only does the result turn the screw on the Blades and the Clarets, but also the nature of the performance ramps up the pressure.

United were clinical and have now scored nine goals in four away matches - and have not conceded a league goal for more than a month. Watford manager Tom Cleverley said afterwards he believes United are of a standard that would equate to a mid-table Premier League team. Perhaps their rivals might soon be obliged to concur.

Piroe hits new height

Piroe netted for the first time in three league games this season and is looking close to his clinical self again. His tally is now at 14 for the season - but Farke wants more.

Speaking after full-time, he said. “I want him come closer to 20 goals and even more. If he can do that he can be pretty proud of himself."

Piroe had several opportunities early on to score, which is something Farke noted, but went on to give him the biggest compliment. "He is the best finisher in the league and he deserves all the praise.”

The attacker is not only scoring but linking up play too. His assist for Daniel James’ second goal was inch perfect and it is a ball he has made multiple times in recent weeks. As a result, he has taken his goal contribution tally to 20 for the campaign.

Wingers clinical

James netted twice in a league game for the first time this season and now has 10 goals and six assists in all. On the other flank Manor Solomon had a quieter game but still managed to score and assist.

Farke was gesturing for Solomon to bend his runs during the first half and gave him a big thumbs up after half-time, hinting that there might have been a chat. But the manager knows he has the best wing duo in this league.

Combined the pair have recorded 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, and we’re only in mid-February. Frightening productivity.

Gruev trend

Ilia Gruev has now begun the last three away games for Leeds, having also been brought in at Burnley and Coventry City. This may have been due to Farke not wanting to risk Pascal Struijk ahead of Sunderland on Monday, despite the defender starting his first game since injury against Millwall on Saturday.

As a result, Ethan Ampadu was used in defence once more to form the ‘Welsh wall’ that has done so well in the absence of Struijk. Gruev was used to add extra protection against a Watford side that had scored in all but one of their last 14 matches.

The Bulgarian was dragged out of position early on but settled with the help of direction from teammates and his manager. His skills as a pivot are proving to be effective, though, with that now a clean sheet in each of his last three starts.

Transition play

Leeds may have been gifted the first goal and were the beneficiaries of a slice of luck for the third but that does not mean the visitors were lucky per se. Watford struggled to cope with Leeds on the transition and were pulled apart every time United shifted defence to attack.

That was proven in the second goal, when Ethan Ampadu played the ball forward for Brenden Aaronson to turn and play to Piroe. Choosing the right option, Piroe played an inch-perfect ball to James, who fired home emphatically.

Speaking afterwards, Farke unpacked how delighted he was with his side’s ability to carry out the counter attacks and transition play - something he says he has worked on since the start of the season. On Tuesday evening that produced its fruit.