Tyler Roberts proved his point against Preston after criticism on Leeds debut

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After making his long awaited Leeds United debut on Saturday, Tyler Roberts was slammed by fans for missing chance after chance and relying on substitute Jack Harrison to find a last gasp equaliser to save his blushes.

On Tuesday night, he bounced back in the ultimate fashion, becoming the first Leeds player to score a brace against Preston North End since David Somma in 2010 and to put an end to a run of three games without a win by thrashing the Lancashire side.

His first goal for Leeds was far more challenging than any of the chances that fell his way on Saturday, with a long ball down the flank chased before turning his run goalwards and then chipping beyond Declan Rudd.

“He started pre-season work later than others but he’s put in much effort and he’s been playing as a right winger because I asked him to. Tyler Roberts thought he had to play as a number nine and in the game against Millwall he had four chances to score. Today he scores two goals so it’s an interesting performance. He’s a very young player and I am very happy for him. He deserves it.”

Marcelo Bielsa was full of praise.

His second was much more simple, but equally as impressive. Where on Saturday his movement was good, but his finishing disappointed, he stepped up. As the ball moved wide to Samu Saiz, Roberts drifted into space at the far post and cut back across to send a composed header into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

Roberts has clearly proved his point to boss Marcelo Bielsa. With Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford both sidelined by injuries, there were reasons to be concerned. Now he has two goals under his belt though, he will have a new found confidence.

If one thing is for sure, it is that he has got the fans at Elland Road firmly back on side and has staked his claim to start, whether Roofe or Bamford are available or not.