0 - 3
Piroe 2, Rutter
Millwall
Leeds United
The Den
17,909
Chris Kavanagh

The Whites climbed into the top half of the table for the first time this season, ending their eleven year jinx; after giving Millwall a master lesson in finishing. Leeds had not previously won at the Den since the 11/12 season when Ross McCormack's 65th goal gave Neil Warnock's side bragging rights.

Millwall started the game, much the brighter, and could have gone ahead in the first ten minutes, only for Struijk to make a goal line clearance after Bradshaw came into contact with Meslier, causing him to drop the ball. The referee's whistle followed, but Struijk was not to know that.

Leeds opener had a touch of luck about it. 30 seconds earlier Ayling almost gave away a penalty. Already on his hands and knees, the veteran defender threw himself in-front of the ball, shielding it away from Tom Bradshaw. The ball broke kindly to Archie Gray, who cleared the ball from danger. Leeds broke clear, and took the lead ahead. At the other end of the pitch, Piroe stepped over Gnonto's pass on the edge of the area, drawing defenders away from Rutter, who tee'd up his striking partner perfectly to open the scoreline on fifteen minutes.

The game wasn't as straight forward as the scoreline suggests. Millwall battled hard throughout the 90 minutes, but Leeds had that extra quality, especially when they needed it. Meslier had to be on his toes to deny Bradshaw on several occasions, before Piroe' s tap in on 77 minutes, after good work from Rutter and James. Rutter put the game beyond doubt four minutes later, blasting his effort into the far corner of the net on his less favourable left foot.

Line Up
Nat
Match Events
1
Meslier, Illan
Goalkeeper
France
2
Ayling, Luke
Defender
England
14
Rodon, Joe
Defender
Wales
21
Struijk, Pascal
Defender
Netherlands
25
Byram, Sam
Defender
England
22
Gray, Archie
Midfielder
England
4
Ampadu, Ethan
Midfielder
Wales
10
Summerville, Crysencio
Midfielder
Netherlands
7
Piroe, Joel
Forward
Netherlands
29
Gnonto, Wilfried
Midfielder
Italy
24
Rutter, Georginio
Forward
France
Subs
Nat
Match Events
20
James, Daniel
Midfielder
Wales
12
Anthony, Jaidon
Midfielder
England
8
Kamara, Glen
Midfielder
Finland
30
Gelhardt, Joe
Forward
England
44
Gruev, Ilia
Midfielder
Bulgaria
26
Darlow, Karl
Goalkeeper
England
Unused Sub
5
Cresswell, Charlie
Defender
England
Unused Sub
17
Shackleton, Jamie
Midfielder
England
Unused Sub
27
Poveda, Ian
Midfielder
England
Unused Sub
Debuts
Nat
DOB
Joined
Gruev, Ilia
Midfielder
Bulgaria
06/05/2000 (23)
31/08/2023
Anthony, Jaidon
Midfielder
England
01/12/1999 (23)
01/09/2023
References
LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2023/2024
Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2023-24
Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2023/24
Leeds United 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday (2nd Sep 2023)


This website is intended as a free resource for the Leeds United community. Every effort has been made to respect copyright regulations, and any use of material is for informational purposes only. If you are the owner of any content featured on this site and object to its inclusion, please contact us, and we address the matter promptly.

View all Showing latest 5 of 349 comments...

Anderson wrote on 19 Sep 2023 12:44 pm

I am pleased as punch with the display at the Den tickled pink even.Papers said our front line has pace,power and creativity,if there is a forward line better than us l will eat my hat.Likewise if there is a better midfielder than Ampadu another hat will be eaten.Talking of fullbacks and centre backs I doubt whether there are any better than the marauding Spence and the steady Rodin.If there is have you any spare Bowlers Jaydog.Finally the bookies are being very generous with 7to1 to finish top.Just my thoughts.

1964white wrote on 19 Sep 2023 12:21 pm

Fair assessment on the game from Millwall father & son fans.

1964white wrote on 19 Sep 2023 11:28 am

Phil Beeton, Elliott & one or two others on the front row from the Griffin Branch.

Hopefully I'll see some of my old pals tomorrow evening.


AcrossThePondAsh wrote on 18 Sep 2023 11:04 pm

Minus Ayling's prone "header" to start it all off (not dissing the grit it takes to put your head in harms way), thought this was an apt description of the lead-up to the first goal...

"...proper sex football." (28:54)

From The Square Ball Podcast with Phil Hay, "Phil Hay: Leeds Brought the Quality."

Source: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhOWG_JgP ... FyZSBiYWxs

1964white wrote on 18 Sep 2023 08:38 pm

Jaydog wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 5:42 pm https://www.sportinglife.com/football/n ... end/212372

Awesome Ampadu in team of the week
Ampudu & Rodon were immense defensively.