Farke's relief, Rutter thriving and Anthony's message as Leeds United power past Watford - Leeds Live 23/9/23
Leeds United scored three second half goals to see off Watford at Elland Road on Saturday
Leeds United powered to a 3-0 win over Watford at Elland
Road to climb into the Championship play-off places. Here’s a look at the
winners and losers from the contest.
Winners
Sam Byram
The first goal of his second stint for the Whites and it
came at a crucial point in the game. Having seen Joel Piroe give Leeds the
advantage a couple of minutes prior, Byram got himself on the end of a superb
Dan James corner to nod home and give the Whites the comfort they deserved.
Byram was more of a left winger at times on his return to
the starting XI but he was one of Leeds’ most impressive on the day, getting
back well when needed and asking constant questions in possession. When he’s
fit, the full-back is one of the first names on Farke’s teamsheet now and
that’s something few could see coming when he first started training with the
Whites in pre-season.
Georginio Rutter
He’s coming into his own in this Leeds side now. Rutter was
Leeds’ best player on the day at Elland Road, terrorising the Watford backline
with his pace and strength.
He was unfortunate not to score in the first half, drawing a
fine stop out of Daniel Bachmann after getting on the end of a Dan James cross,
but he found joy in helping others get on the scoresheet. Rutter’s assist for
Jaidon Anthony in the closing stages was sumptuous, beating two players in the
middle of the park before feeding the Bournemouth loanee.
Rutter is clearly a player that thrives on confidence and
he’s oozing it right now as he continues to grow in stature at Elland Road.
Jaidon Anthony
He’s had to be patient since arriving at Elland Road and he
was named on the bench once more against Watford, only emerging once the game
was won in the 80th minute. He still had the time to make his presence felt on
his home debut, though, with a goal in front of the Kop.
Anthony did well to work Daniel Bachmann shortly after
stepping onto the pitch, beating two to get a shot away. But, a few minutes
later he kept his cool after latching onto a Rutter throughball to score the
Whites’ third and give Farke some food for thought ahead of next week’s game
with Southampton.
Daniel Farke
A first home win in charge of the Whites, who look to be
starting to click into gear under the German now. Leeds were frustrated for 60
minutes by the Hornets, who held their shape and managed to keep the hosts at
bay.
But, when the breakthrough eventually came Leeds cut loose
and you can’t say they weren’t good value for the 3-0 win. Leeds are up to
fifth now and while the Championship is a battle of attrition, it looks as though
they are only moving in one direction.
Losers
Charlie Cresswell
Overlooked for a spot in the back four, despite being the
only right-footed centre-back option available to Farke. It’s clear that
Cresswell is the fourth choice centre-back at the club and right now, it’s hard
to see where the game time he needs is coming from.
The defender must be patient but he must make sure he’s
ready to step in when he is eventually called upon. The same can be said for
Joe Gelhardt who finds himself down the pecking order once more.
