1 week Ago
Leeds United edged back in front in the Championship title race after turning on the style to beat play-off chasing Bristol City 4-0 in a carnival atmosphere at Elland Road last night. Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto both found the net before substitute Largie Ramazani grabbed a late brace to round off a dominant display in already-promoted Leeds' final home game of the season, as they climbed back into top spot above Burnley on goal difference. Leeds will win the division provided they beat all-but-relegated Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on the final day this weekend.
Party celebrations resumed at Elland Road last night after last week's 6-0 thrashing of Stoke and Sheffield United's defeat at Burnley, which guaranteed the Whites and the Clarets a top-two finish and promotion to the Premier League. Leeds scarves adorned every home seat before kick-off and four walls of yellow greeted the players when they entered the pitch. City, who had lost eight and drawn one of their nine previous visits to LS11 - their last win there was in 1979 - soon came under heavy pressure.
Manor Solomon had an effort ruled out for offside after a slick passing move and either side of that the Tottenham loanee was denied by City goalkeeper Max O'Leary. Solomon then turned provider as Leeds took a deserved 21st-minute lead, crossing superbly for Tanaka to turn the ball home at the far post following a half-cleared corner. Ao Tanaka prods Leeds ahead against Bristol City last night in front of a party atmosphere at Elland Road.
(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) O'Leary brilliantly thwarted Solomon for a third time in a one-on-one and the 1-0 scoreline at the break was scant reward for Leeds' first-half dominance. Inspired goalkeeping kept Leeds out again after the restart as O'Leary produced a fine double save from Junior Firpo and Gnonto's follow-up effort. But the latter's cool finish after he had raced on to Joel Piroe's sublime diagonal through-ball put Leeds 2-0 up in the 55th minute.
Farke's side continued to sweep forward thereafter, as Firpo headed inches wide from a corner and Brenden Aaronson volleyed over. The one-sided encounter finally got the scoreline it probably deserved after Ramazani replaced Gnonto in the 81st minute. The substitute swept home Leeds' third goal at the far post with his first touch from Firpo's low cross less than 60 seconds later after entering the pitch.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was given a standing ovation before the final whistle and in time added on, his side scored their fourth and final goal of the game. Ramazani beat the offside trap to arrow a low finish into the bottom corner after Ilia Gruev's arcing pass, putting the icing on the cake of the home side’s perfect night..
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