Leeds United Chat • The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 26th October) Leeds reach top five
Good Morning. It's Monday 26th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Lethal Bamford blows Villa away
Patrick Bamford become just the 5th away player to ever score a hattrick at Villa Park on Friday evening as the Whites destroyed Aston Villa.
Chances were few between during the first half. Rodrigo and Bamford both had half chances whilst the Whites were fortunate that Luke Ayling was in the right place at the right time to clear a goal line effort from Grealish.
Leeds finally took the lead ten minutes into the second half. Rodrigo's effort was parried by Martinez, and Bamford was the quickest to react to smash the ball home from five yards.
Leeds number 9 doubled the lead 12 minutes later with a sublime strike from the edge of the box that any forward in the Premier League would have been proud of. His fairy tale evening was complete 16 minutes from time from a well worked corner. With his confidence sky high, Bamford was able to curl the ball past a helpless Martinez whilst being marked by four Villa defenders.
Bamford is the ninth Leeds player to score a Premier League hat-trick and the first since Mark Viduka away at Charlton in April 2003.
The sweet smell of success is even sweeter when its against Villa....
Post match reactions
Marcelo Bielsa, speaking to Match of the Day: "
It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph. We scored first and were a little bit lucky they didn't score some of the chances they had. We were playing well even before the goal and had played well enough to go ahead."
"Very happy for Patrick because he scored some wonderful goals. Apart from that [he is] a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team - generous also. I think his development is more to do with him and less to do with me."
Dean Smith, speaking to Match of the Day: "
Very frustrated, especially with the last 40 minutes. I thought the first half was very even. They scored the first goal and we got worse and they were very good. We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had.
"Who knows what would have happened if we had scored? That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we didn't handle it very well."
How high up the Premiership ladder could Leeds finish this season?
After what can only be called a whirlwind return to the Premiership, with the Whites bartering most of which comes within their sights, is it too early to start thinking about a first half finish?
Perhaps you're thinking higher?
Where are Leeds weaknesses, and do they need addressing this season?
