Five-star Leeds United close on Premier League 2 title as Joe Gelhardt bags hat-trick against 10-man West Brom

Leeds United's Under-23s hit 10-man West Bromwich Albion for five on Monday afternoon as Joe Gelhardt bagged a hat-trick.

Mark Jackson selected a strong line-up for the 5-0 Premier League 2 victory in in Birmingham.

Robin Koch, Gaetano Berardi, Jamie Shackleton and Ian Poveda all started alongside a host of development regulars.

The Whites opened the scoring from the penalty spot through Gelhardt after Crysencio Summerville was adjudged to have been fouled after making his way into the penalty area.

United's youngsters then combined again to double the scoreline as Jack Jenkins stole the ball on the edge of the Baggies box.

Summerville fed Gelhardt to his left who found the far corner of the net with a first time shot from a tight angle.

It was enough to put the visitors in complete control as Jackson's side cruised to the half-time interval.

Oli Casey was replaced at the break after a collision with West Brom goalkeeper Maksymilian Boruc, who had also earlier left the field.

United again added to the scoreline from the spot after Gelhardt was hauled down resulting in a second yellow card for George Harmon following a lovely move from Leeds.

The ex-Wigan man converted emphatically from 12 yards, bagging the match ball and his 11th of the season in the process.

It was then Summerville who turned from provider to goalscorer with a low finish into the bottom corner of the net amid a smart run.

United saved the best until last, though, as Sam Greenwood stepped up to fire a dipping free-kick in off the post from 25-yards to cap another impressive Whites display.

The victory saw Leeds move 13 points clear at the top of the PL2 Division 2 table, needing just one win or Stoke City to drop points next time out for promotion to be secured.

Leeds United U23s: Caprile, Shackleton, Davis, Koch (Drameh 61), Casey (Cresswell 45), Berardi, Poveda, Jenkins, Gelhardt, Greenwood, Summerville (McCarron 77). Subs not used: Van Den Heuvel, Kamwa.