Leeds soared to the Championship summit on Boxing Day with a comfortable 2-0 away victory over sorry Stoke. The Staffordshire outfit are without a win since early November, and given their woeful performance last night, it is not surprising. The thick mist obscuring most of the pitch must have come as great comfort to the home fans, who no doubt wished they had stayed at home.

The Potters actually started the brighter. Meslier brilliantly denied Lewis Koumas from close range early on, getting down low to deny the Welsh International; but it wasn't long before Leeds took a stranglehold of the game. Not only were the hosts content with allowing Leeds possession, they allowed them acres of space. Bogle in particular was in his element. He was given the freedom of the pitch to attack down the right channel without fear of being challenged. Given Leeds attacking options, and mixture of pace and guile from the wings, it was only a matter of time until the Stoke defence buckled!

Joel Piroe struck late in the first half after a delightful through ball from Aaronson, slicing the Stoke defence wide open. Viktor Johansson got down well to thwart the Dutchman's first time effort, but was powerless moments later, smashing the ball into the roof of the net, off the underside of the woodwork.

The second half provided much of the same, with Leeds continuing to create guilt edged opportunities, yet it was the hosts that went closest, Ash Phillips heading just wide of Meslier's goalmouth after a peach of a cross from Bocat. Leeds finally put the game to bed with thirty minutes left on the clock. James tee' d up Piroe at the back post to nod past Johansson, claiming his brace, and ninth of the season. The two goal margin provided the knockout goal (on Boxing Day) that was needed to kill off any slim hopes of a Stoke revival.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
	2	Bogle, Jayden Defender
	25	Byram, Sam Defender
	6	Rodon, Joe Defender
	5	Struijk, Pascal Defender
	8	Rothwell, Joe Midfielder
	4	Ampadu, Ethan 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
	17	Ramazani, Largie Midfielder
	19	Joseph, Mateo Forward
	22	Tanaka, Ao Midfielder
	33	Schmidt, Isaac Defender
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
	37	Debayo, James Defender		Unused Sub
	23	Guilavogui, Josuha 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