Leeds served up a pre-Christmas treat for their fans at the weekend, smashing four past Oxford Utd and maintaining their hopes of automatic promotion. Using the full width of the pitch to good effect, the Whites looked balanced, well organised and dangerous every time they went forward. The pace and guile of Messrs James and Solomon would cause havoc among the visitors defence, constantly moving them out of position. The two linked up well for the opener after just nine minutes. Solomon showed his Premier League class, holding off a posse of Oxford players before delivering a teasing ball across the six yard box for the Welshman to bundle home at the back post.

Despite one-way traffic, the visitors held their shape pretty well but seemed content to go in at half time a goal down. Conceding possession and getting ten men behind the ball is nothing new to Leeds this season, but the O's lacked both the physicality and desire to get back in the game, and were made to pay after the break.

With little over 30 minutes on the clock, Jayden Bogle carved out the visitors, dancing through a melee of players before stabbing the ball past Cumming. This knocked the Christmas stuffing out of Gary Rowett's men as he looked on from the stands, wondering what he's signed himself up for!

Brendon Aaronson and Manor Solomon both got in on the act in the last 25 minutes to ensure Farke's men hold the best goal difference in the division despite Sheffield Utd and Burnley conceding less. The two clubs play each other on Boxing day, perhaps giving the Whites an opportunity to go top, as we see in the New Year.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
	2	Bogle, Jayden Defender
	25	Byram, Sam Defender
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
	6	Rodon, Joe Defender
	8	Rothwell, Joe Midfielder
	22	Tanaka, Ao Midfielder
	7	James, Daniel Midfielder
	14	Solomon, Manor Midfielder
	11	Aaronson, Brenden Midfielder
	10	Piroe, Joel Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	29	Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder
	19	Joseph, Mateo Forward
	17	Ramazani, Largie Midfielder
	33	Schmidt, Isaac Defender
	23	Guilavogui, Josuha Midfielder
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
	5	Struijk, Pascal Defender		Unused Sub
	42	Chambers, Sam Midfielder		Unused Sub
	9	Bamford, Patrick Forward		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2024/2025
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2024-25
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2024/25