Three quickfire goals fire Leeds United into automatic promotion places

Leeds United emphatically dispatched Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road today as the Whites ran out 3-0 winners.

Goals from Daniel James, Joel Piroe and Brendan Aaronson were enough to fire past a toothless Plymouth Argyle side who did not even register a single shot during the entire game.

First Half: United blast through Plymouth low block

Within the opening minutes, it was clear that Leeds would have to break through Plymouth’s low block to avoid another frustrating afternoon similar to the Burnley game.

However, Piroe had an early chance to break the deadlock within five minutes when he swept his right-footed attempt over the bar after a pinpoint low cross from Ao Tanaka picked him out.

Rather than being left to rue the missed chance, the Whites continued to probe at the Plymouth defence and eventually took the lead on the half-hour mark during the second phase of a corner.

Joe Rothwell’s initial corner was headed away but only as far as Willy Gnonto who was waiting on the edge of the box.

Gnonto then laid the ball off to Dan James, who despite being closed down and off balance, managed to get a shot off and it flew into the top left corner spectacularly.

Piroe managed to double the lead just minutes later when he was the first to react to a loose ball in the box after Julio Pleguezuelo made a mess of his headed clearance.

Tanaka’s half-volley forced Pleguezuelo into making the error and Piroe was on hand to poke the ball in from close range after holding off the defender well.

Two goals soon became three as Aaronson added a third in the 38th minute.

James received the ball out wide before cutting in on his left foot and crossing the ball into the feet of Piroe. Piroe did well to control the ball in before attempting an audacious backheel.

The attempt was blocked but fortunately for Leeds, Aaronson was there to run onto the ball and drill his shot with his left foot under Daniel Grimshaw in the Plymouth goal to secure the three points in less than 40 minutes.

Second Half: Leeds in cruise control as debutants made late cameos

Clear chances were a rarity in the second half as the game began to look more like a training session with Leeds maintaining possession and Plymouth either chasing shadows or standing off and maintaining their defensive structure.

Gnonto had the best chance in the 65th minute after he was played in behind by Aaronson, but he dragged his shot wide of the left post.

The comfortable nature of the game made it the perfect opportunity for veteran midfielder Josuha Guilavogui and youth prospects Sam Chambers and Charlie Crew to get some valuable minutes late on.

Crew came on and made an instant impact with his shot from range forcing Grimshaw into making a good save.

Key Takeaways: Leeds find new ways to beat a low block

Under Daniel Farke, Leeds have been criticised at times for playing too safe against teams who park the bus at Elland Road, with their lateral passing becoming predictable as games unfold.

However, today was the total opposite as United made their own luck after shots from distance either flew into the top corner or caused carnage in the penalty area and the loose ball fell for another Leeds attacker.

Leeds may not always be as clinical as they were today, but it is crucial they continue to mix up their approach play, particularly when facing opposition that set out to defend deep and frustrate them.