7 - 0
Aaronson, Solomon, James, Piroe 2 (1p), Gnonto, Joseph
Leeds United
Leeds United
Cardiff City
Cardiff City
Elland Road
35,810
Michael Salisbury
POSSESSION
58%
42%

Championship leaders Leeds thumped Cardiff 7-0 to claim their biggest win for over fifty years and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 14 games. Cardiff, who had been on a nine-game unbeaten run of their own, were unable to cope with the pace and skill of the Leeds attack, and crumbled under the pressure.

Farke's side made a blistering start, with Dan James providing two assists in the opening 13 minutes as Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon both scored from close range. James himself got on the scoresheet just after the break, converting Junior Firpo's inviting cross at the far post after good work from Solomon.

Three quickly became four when the Welsh Wizard was upended by O'Dowda, as he looked set to score from Piroe's rebound. Instead, it was left to the Dutchman to convert from twelve yards, sending Alnwick the wrong way! Wilfred Gnonto got in on the act on 67 minutes, just 2 minutes after coming on; giving the young Italian the shot in the arm he desperately needs to get his confidence back after a poor run of form.

By the time Joseph slammed in a cathartic sixth and Piroe earned his well deserved brace, the Elland Road crowd had reached that rare state of never wanting a big game to end. For a long time now Cardiff have (or should I say had), very much been a bogey side for the Whites, making the sweet smell of such a gratifying victory ever more enjoyable.

Line Up
Nat
Match Events
1
 Meslier, Illan
Goalkeeper
France
2
 Bogle, Jayden
Defender
England
3
 Firpo, Junior
Defender
Dominican Republic
6
 Rodon, Joe
Defender
Wales
4
 Ampadu, Ethan
Midfielder
Wales
8
 Rothwell, Joe
Midfielder
England
22
 Tanaka, Ao
Midfielder
Japan
7
 James, Daniel
Midfielder
Wales
11
 Aaronson, Brenden
Midfielder
USA
14
 Solomon, Manor
Midfielder
Israel
10
 Piroe, Joel
Forward
Netherlands
Subs
Nat
Match Events
25
 Byram, Sam
Defender
England
29
 Gnonto, Wilfried
Midfielder
Italy
19
 Joseph, Mateo
Forward
Spain
17
 Ramazani, Largie
Midfielder
Belgium
5
 Struijk, Pascal
Defender
Netherlands
26
 Darlow, Karl
Goalkeeper
England
 Unused Sub
39
 Wober, Max
Defender
Austria
 Unused Sub
44
 Gruev, Ilia
Midfielder
Bulgaria
 Unused Sub
23
 Guilavogui, Josuha
Midfielder
France
 Unused Sub
References
LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2024/2025
Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2024-25
Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2024/25
Burnley 0-0 Leeds United (27th Jan 2025)

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View all Showing latest 5 of 416 comments...

1964white wrote on 04 Feb 2025 06:11 pm

Uncut exclusive footage.


The Subhuman wrote on 04 Feb 2025 05:06 pm

We could for the right player...

1964white wrote on 04 Feb 2025 03:33 pm

weasel wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:49 pm I think it was easier for Burnley, Sheff U and Sunderland to sign players as they can offer them starts. I don't think we could.
No we couldn't.

Sunderland have made two quality signings

I'm unsure about Burnley's lot.

The Blunts have signed quite few signings to replace players they've lost to injuries.

Brereton Diaz isn't better than our four wingers. Is Cannon as good as Piroe? I don't think so!

weasel wrote on 04 Feb 2025 12:49 pm

ElKapitan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:25 am Definitely a greater depth in "some" positions but Guilivogui when playing as Rodons replacement really has struggled against poor opposition (cup game). We are stacked at left cb.

Aarronsson is great, really like him but against teams who sit back and defend in numbers he struggles as that Hernandez type unlocking of a defence isn't in his locker. Gnonto the same and Piroe had a go there early season which didn't work. Ramazani is the only one who I think has that awareness and ability to create centrally for me and I suppose Gnonto on the left ain't bad.

As for left back..... Farke has trusted Byram a right footed player to fill in for Firpo instead of Schmidt. Byrams done well but we looked a different side on the left with that natural passing/crossing angle of Firpo. He got 2 assists vs Cardiff? Byram can't really cross with his left.

Would we still be competitive? Sure, but its such a tight race/run in that it just surprises me that Burnley, Sunderland and Sheff Utd can make some high quality signings but we can't. We'll see but Marcus Edwards at Burnley..... He will get them points.
I share your concerns about Guilivogi but it was his first start for a long time - he'd probably do better if needed and playing regularly. At present he is more useful just to give a midfielder a breather by coming on for the last few minutes and that in itself can be helpful as a lot of muscle injuries either happen early, due to not warming up properly, or late on in games through tiredness.

I think we need to forget about comparing Aaronsen to a Pablo type. Whilst someone could have come in on loan and been more creative it might mean we lose having the intense, non-stop, pressing that Aaronsen does. That could have really had a significant knock on effect elsewhere as space and time would open up for the opposition. An example would be that Arnold Trent fella that plays for Liverpool. Give him time and space and he can knock crossfield balls and pick out players but someone like Aaronsen chasing him down relentlessly would really disrupt him. If we do lose Aaronsen though I would be excited to see what Solomon, Gnonto, Ramizanni or Romford could bring to the table - or even Piroe so that we had Piroe and Joseph both starting. For me I'd rather go with any of those options than bring someone else in unless it had been someone like Buendia that Farke knew would fit in.

I think it was interesting that we saw less of Bogle attacking last week. I do think that Byram at left back gives license for Bogle to be the main attacking full back. So it balances out a bit but yes definitely better having Firpo bak in for the left foot. A hard sell though for any loan signing as they'd be coming in to probably just be back up.

I think it was easier for Burnley, Sheff U and Sunderland to sign players as they can offer them starts. I don't think we could.

ElKapitan wrote on 04 Feb 2025 11:25 am

weasel wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 9:45 am The squad depth is far better and the variety. Last year we had the 3 midfielders (4 if Gray is included), Ampadu, Gruev and Kamara who were all far more defensive than attacking, at leats in terms of a goal/assist threat. This year we have 5 and as shown with the signing of Guilivogi we were able to find someone when we needed insurance. Last year we had just Rodon, Sturyjk and Cooper as our centrebacks (given that Farke didn't seem to rate Cresswell) this season it is Rodon, Struyjk and Wober and if Ampadu has to play there in some ways it makes us more of an attacking side given the choice of midfielders. We have depth at full back with Bogle, Byram, Firpo, Schmidt, Wober. Out wide we have 4 wingers. Up front we have Piroe and Joseph and whilst yes Joseph's goal came against a demoralised Cardiff at least it takes the pressure off him and confidence can do wonders for a player. i don't worry about depth there as I see Ramizanni and Gnonto as good options there too. No.10 and we have Aaronsen, yep not as pleasing on the eye as Rutter but his numbers stack up better than Rutter and he does so much off the ball as well. If he gets injured then again we have options that might make us even more threatening, Piroe into their so we have Piroe and Joseph, Gnoto, Ramazani or Solomon, Rothwell etc.
Definitely a greater depth in "some" positions but Guilivogui when playing as Rodons replacement really has struggled against poor opposition (cup game). We are stacked at left cb.

Aarronsson is great, really like him but against teams who sit back and defend in numbers he struggles as that Hernandez type unlocking of a defence isn't in his locker. Gnonto the same and Piroe had a go there early season which didn't work. Ramazani is the only one who I think has that awareness and ability to create centrally for me and I suppose Gnonto on the left ain't bad.

As for left back..... Farke has trusted Byram a right footed player to fill in for Firpo instead of Schmidt. Byrams done well but we looked a different side on the left with that natural passing/crossing angle of Firpo. He got 2 assists vs Cardiff? Byram can't really cross with his left.

Would we still be competitive? Sure, but its such a tight race/run in that it just surprises me that Burnley, Sunderland and Sheff Utd can make some high quality signings but we can't. We'll see but Marcus Edwards at Burnley..... He will get them points.
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