Former England internationals hail Patrick Bamford as Leeds United striker emulates Eric Cantona

Whites no 9 Bamford netted three goals in his first three games upon United's return to the top flight but the striker went two games without scoring approaching Friday night's clash at Aston Villa.

Bamford then squandered two good chances in the first half but the striker proved deadly after the break and netted in the 55th, 67th and 74th minute for a rapid hat-trick as part of a 3-0 victory.

Bamford then conducted his post-match interviews holding the match ball following his first ever Whites treble with the 27-year-old emulating Cantona as the only other Whites player to net six goals in United's opening six games in a Premier League campaign.

Cantona also netted six times in United's first six of games of the 1992-93 Premier League campaign with a hat-trick in a 5-0 romp at home to Tottenham Hotspur sandwiched by a strike in a 4-1 loss at Middlesbrough and brace in a 2-2 draw at Oldham Athletic.

"He really was great and you could see in his interview the joy pouring out of him," said Richards of Bamford.

"And he deserves it because Leeds are a fantastic team.

"A lot of Leeds fans questioned him in the Championship and didn't know if he could do it at this level.

"Bielsa always stuck with him because he always worked hard for the team.

"But he breaks his neck to get into the box, he smells it, he wants the goal.

"He gets a little bit of luck with the first goal coming off Martinez but it was a fantastic finishing being in the right position."

Jenas added: "The last two goals are sensational, they really are.

"The second one there is zero backlift, he has just stood there and hit it.

"But the third one is my favourite.

"There's just little delicate touches, just tiny little inches and then to get his body into the right position to then bend that into the top corner, that's a sign of a striker that is playing with real confidence and that's a Leeds team that is playing very well."

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Thank you Laura Collins