Leeds United captain gesture, Solomon full-time intervention, Lampard reaction and off-camera Coventry moments — YEP 6/2/25
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Wednesday night’s
comfortable 2-0 win at Coventry City.
Leeds United put the pressure back on their Championship
title rivals with yet another win that maintained top spot and a five-point
lead. First half goals from Joel Piroe and Jayden Bogle were enough to see
Coventry City off, though wastefulness and the heroics of Sky Blues keeper
Oliver Dovin saved Frank Lampard's side from the kind of scoreline suffered by
Cardiff City at the weekend. The Whites are now 14 games unbeaten in all
competitions. Here's the YEP take.
Good day
Joe Rodon
This game got away from Leeds in a physical sense last
season but not so this time. Rodon came out on top of his individual battle
with Ellis Simms but played some nice football too when the chance arose. The
centre-back is in a real purple patch at the minute
Illan Meslier
Some of his clean sheets have been earned without the keeper
really being needed but not so this one. He had two saves to make in the second
half, two vital saves and both were excellent. There was also a bit of quick
thinking and a long, accurate throw that sent James away to create a chance.
Bad day
Frank Lampard
Coventry City rolled into this one with four straight wins
but they played a big part in their own downfall in this one, assisting a team
who need no assistance in scoring goals. Some of the decisions from the Sky
Blues in possession and some of the execution was so poor and they had their
goalkeeper and Leeds wastefulness to thank that it didn't become a rout.
Brenden Aaronson
The effort is always there, he covers miles and he causes
real problems for teams but this was one of those occasions when his work in
the final third, at the final moment let him down.
Off-camera moments
Ethan Ampadu walking out of the tunnel, signing an autograph
for the Leeds mascot who was visibly freezing. Ampadu walked towards the centre
circle and then thought better of it, doubled back, gently chastised the club's
media department and then informed everyone he was going to fetch the youngster
another top to wear.
Junior Firpo applauding in approval as Joel Piroe curled
home a beauty of a finish during shooting practise in the warm-up.
Joe Rodon offering the benefit of his wisdom to Ilia Gruev
as the starting outfield players prepared to do their final warm-up sprints.
Farke reacting angrily to a slightly loose pass from Gruev
that asked Ampadu to get into a physical duel that he otherwise wouldn't have
needed to go into. The manager spent the next minute instructing Gruev on where
the ball should have gone.
Rodon jumping in the air in frustration as his pass to Bogle
was allowed to run under the right-back's boot. The Welshman was then
signalling to defensive partner Ampadu that he should have gone for a ball over
the top instead of a risky pass down the middle that got cut out.
Joel Latibeaudiere yelling 'you're so bad at your job' into
the face of referee Dean Whitestone as he failed to force Piroe to go off via
the shortest route as he was replaced late on.
Solomon forcing Ampadu to come away from Latibeaudiere as
they exchanged words on the pitch at full-time.
The Leeds fans provoking a reaction from Frank Lampard as
they goaded him after the win.