Millwall made a strong start yet Leeds weathered the early storm including a handball penalty appeal and went ahead in the 15th minute after a rapid counter was clinically finished by Joel Piroe. The counter arrived a few seconds after fine defending by Luke Ayling who rescued the Whites as Millwall swarmed in on goal following a lapse pass from Whites keeper Illan Meslier. Leeds then stormed through the middle of the park and Rutter slipped the final pass through to Piroe to apply a lovely calm finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
No changes were made during the interval, after which Millwall went close within two minutes of the restart via Tom Bradshaw who was played in by Casper de Norre but saw his fierce strike beaten away by Meslier. A triple change made by Lions boss Gary Rowett in the 64th minute was followed by the introduction of both Jaidon Anthony and Dan James from the Whites bench, Anthony on for his Leeds debut as Summerville and Gnonto made way.
Thirteen minutes later, James provided the assist for Piroe to double his tally and United's advantage, James stumbling as he looked to convert a Rutter cross but the ball finding Piroe who could not miss from close range.
Millwall were broken and the Whites then added a third goal just four minutes later through Rutter who smashed the ball from the middle of the box after being picked out by a James cross on the counter.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from an impressive victory in the capital.
7. Archie Gray
7 - Didn't get on the ball as much as he'd have liked but he was efficient and clever with it in the main. Played a part in the opener. Photo: Alex Pantling
8. Willy Gnonto
7 - Provided an outlet. Took his lumps for the team. Complained but didn't shy away. Played a part in the first goal. Photo: George Tewkesbury
9. Crysencio Summerville
7 - Carried a threat. Final ball wasn't always there but got into good positions and did his bit in terms of battling. Photo: Alex Pantling
10. Joel Piroe
8 - Clinical for his first goal, in the right place for the second. In the game far more than he was last time out. Some very clever play. Photo: George Tewkesbury
11. Georginio Rutter
8 - Fought to try and hold the ball up, provided an assist, played a part in the second goal and scored the third. Not everything he tried came off but he deserved his ovation. Photo: Alex Pantling
12. Dan James (sub)
8 - His pace was perfect for the situation he came into and he gave Millwall big problems. Involved for two goals. Photo: Alex Caparros