'I think we're starting to play more football' - Luke Ayling on Leeds United's learning curve in Premier League dream

The defender began his footballing life at top-flight Arsenal but was released at 18 and, like Leeds, had to work his way back up from League One.

Promotions with Yeovil and Bristol City earned him a move to Elland Road, before last season’s Championship title brought him and the 101-year-old club back to the summit of the English pyramid.

Saturday’s 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park marked his 400th career appearance and Ayling admitted it still feels like a dream come true to be operating at Premier League level.

“I know quite a lot of people say it, but it’s a dream for us to be playing at this level,” he said, speaking on behalf of the whole club as much as himself.

“We went down and played in League One and Championship for many years, so to finally get our chance to play in the Premier League is just what we worked for as kids.”

Life in the ‘promised land’ has largely been as good as anyone at Elland Road could expect – they have 14 points from 10 games and sit comfortably in mid-table, with plenty of plaudits thanks to the manner in which they have attacked each opponent.

The victory over Everton felt like another arrival of sorts, thanks to the breathtaking football they conjured up, married to the tireless workrate Marcelo Bielsa’s team have become known for.

Long may it continue, hopes Ayling, who believes the first eight games of the campaign were a positive learning experience, even with the chastening 4-1 defeats to Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

He believes the Whites are growing in confidence, too.

“So far the boys are enjoying it. I hope we can keep playing good football and keep this going,” he said.

“To hold two good teams [Arsenal and Everton] to zero is also pleasing.

“Our first eight games were always going to be a learning curve. I think we’ve learned a lot from those eight games. I think we’re starting to play more football and not just run around and try to be hard to beat.”