Leeds 4-0 Middlesbrough: Marcelo’s men put Boro to the sword

By @ed_mcintyre98

Elland Road saw a dominant Leeds United display against Middlesbrough, as goals from Patrick Bamford, Mateusz Klich and Helder Costa put Jonathan Woodgate’s side to the sword.

Marcelo Bielsa named just one change to the side that started in Leeds’ 1-0 win at Reading on Tuesday night. Winger Helder Costa replaced Wales international Tyler Roberts who is out nursing a hamstring injury.

It was a fast-paced start from Leeds, with Luke Ayling coming close to putting Leeds ahead when his curling effort from just outside the box with his weaker left foot went just wide of the left post.

But inside the first four minutes Elland Road erupted when Pablo Hernandez's cross from the left found Patrick Bamford at the far-right post to head home and put Leeds a goal up.

Patrick Bamford heads home to put Leeds 1-0 up.

And Leeds almost grabbed a second shortly after when Ayling found himself with another opportunity in the box, but his left footed curler aimed for the top left corner flew just over the bar.

Just before the end to a fiery first half, Leeds managed to grab a second goal. A long-ranged ball from Hernandez found the run of Bamford who's deflected lay off fell into the path of Mateusz Klich whose shot then deflected into the back of the net. 2-0 was the half-time score.

Klich celebrates after making it 2-0

Leeds were quick out of the running blocks again in the second half, and it didn’t take long before Jack Harrison tested Middlesbrough goalkeeper Aynsley Pears, with his volley forcing the 21-year-old into making a fine save.

With the half predominantly being played in Middlesbrough's half with Leeds’ dominance, it was inevitable that the home side would get a third goal and that’s what happened on 67 minutes. After nice build up between Helder Costa and Klich, it was Costa who worked his way into the box to fire the ball past Pears to make it 3-0.

Helder Costa fires Leeds into a 3-0 lead

And five minutes later it was 4-0. From a short corner routine, Mateusz Klich picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the top right corner of the net leaving the keeper no chance.

Klich runs off to celebrate with the rest of the Leeds players after scoring a fourth

If it couldn’t get any worse for the visitors, ten minutes from time saw the return of on-loan striker Eddie Nketiah to the Leeds United first team after recovering from an abdominal injury, greeted with loud ‘Eddie’ chants from the Elland Road faithful as the 20-year-old replaced Bamford.

But the damage had already been done, and Leeds held on to win 4-0, picking up a fifth consecutive win and extending their unbeaten run to eight games. The Whites go one point clear at the top of the Championship table for the meantime, while Jonathan Woodgate and Middlesbrough will look to quickly forget their afternoon in West Yorkshire.

Match information

Leeds United v Middlesbrough Sky Bet Championship Saturday 30th November 2019 Elland Road – 35,626 att.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla (GK), Ayling, White, Cooper (C), Dallas, Phillips (Berardi 83’), Costa (Alioski 76’), Klich, Hernandez, Harrison, Bamford (Nketiah 79’). Unused subs: Miazek (GK), Douglas, Clarke, Stevens.

Middlesbrough (4-1-4-1): Pears (GK), Ayala (C), Fry, Tavenier, Assombalonga (O’Neil 77’), Fletcher (Walker 90’), Howsoon, McNair, Saville, Wing (Liddle 70'), Bola. Unused subs: Mejias (GK), Clayton, Wood, Reading.

Referee: Keith Stroud