Leeds United maintained their strong start to the Championship season with a 3-0 win at Stoke City yesterday afternoon. Marcelo Bielsa’s side put in a scintillating display to run riot at the Britannia Stadium and rightly pick up the win with goals from Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Patrick Bamford.
Speaking after the game, as quoted by the Stoke Sentinel, the Potters boss Nathan Jones was clearly impressed by the level of Leeds’ performance.
He compared them to the Luton Town side he left midway through last season at the top of League One, a career move he might now be regretting.
“We tried to make sure we were secure because they make a lot of forward runs and carve teams open. They’re a good side.
“I came from a side at the level below who were doing exactly the same to teams as Leeds do. They’re relentless.
“That’s a mentality, that’s an athleticism. At the minute we’re not there, we’re not at that level.”
TBR’s View
Whilst Leeds may be unbeaten so far this season this was easily their best performance of the campaign to date.
This was textbook Bielsa, with Leeds smothering Stoke when in the home side had possession and playing fast but intricate attacking football going forward.
All three goals showcased cutting passes and movement off the ball, with Pablo Hernandez again adding an extra dimension that makes him a class above at this level.
For Jones, it was a humbling day and one Stoke will want to forget quickly. As for Leeds, they will hope to play this way week-in and week-out for the rest of the season.