Leeds United 3 Fuham 0: Clinical Whites move top and eight points clear in automatics

Patrick Bamford fired United into a tenth-minute lead and after surviving a barrage of Fulham pressure for the remainder of the first half, strikes from substitute Gjanni Alioski and Jack Harrison put the Whites out of sight in the second half.

Marcelo Bielsa's side are now three points clear of second-placed West Brom and eight ahead of third-placed Brentford with Fulham two points further behind in fourth with seven games left.

Fulham should have been reduced to ten men in just the second minute when top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic elbowed Whites centre-back Ben White in the face off the ball but the incident was missed by the match officials.

Six minutes later, Mitrovic then led a counter-attack and fed Anthony Knockaert who fired just wide from the edge of the box.

But United drew first blood in the tenth minute when Helder Costa's precise pull back from the right created an opening for Bamford who produced a fine low finish from the edge of the box.

Knockaert continued to look lively and the winger then cut inside from the right flank in the 12th minute before firing over and Mitrovic then put a low drive wide five minutes later.

For Leeds, a low Kalvin Phillips free-kick was then easily saved by Marek Rodak and United custodian Illan Meslier was then required to produce a smart save to keep out a low drive from Knockaert.

A poor first touch from Bobby Decordova-Reid then let Fulham down when looking destined to score in the 26th minute after fine work from Mitrovic.

Fulham continued to press and the Cottagers were furious when claims for a penalty were ignored for a Tyler Roberts handball.

Another decent effort from Knockaert then flew over the bar before a thunderous effort from Mitrovic was beaten away by Meslier.

Minutes later, Mitrovic headed just wide from a corner before Joe Bryan cut inside from the left and curled a shot wide.

But United held firm and Leeds could have had a penalty in first-half stoppage time when Bamford was sent tumbling after trying to poke the ball past Rodak.

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa made a double change at the break in bringing on the back-from-injury Pablo Hernandez and Gjanni Alioski for Bamford and Costa at the break.

Roberts, now playing upfront, had an opening in the 51st minute but flashed a low effort wide of the post and only a brilliant block from Harrison Reed prevented Harrison from sliding home United's second shortly afterwards with Harrison latching on to a Roberts cross.

Fulham responded and Knockaert's free-kick was tipped over the bar by Meslier and Reid should have scored from the corner but lost his footing.

And within seconds United had doubled their lead with Meslier's quick release setting up a flowing Leeds counter which was finished off by Alioski after a fantastic pass from Mateusz Klich and Harrison cross.

Fulham boss Scott Parker soon looked to his bench and substitute Neeskens Kebano saw an effort saved by Meslier.

But United bagged their third in the 71st minute when a majestic long pass from Hernandez released Harrison who then closed in on goal from the left before producing a fine finish from an acute angle.

The game was done and a miserable afternoon for Fulham was made even worse in second half stoppage time when Kebano was sent off following a second yellow card.

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich (Douglas 80), Harrison (Poveda 83), Costa (Alioski 46), Roberts, Bamford (Hernandez 46, Shackleton 90). Subs not used: Miazek, Berardi, Stevens, Struijk.

Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan (Onomah 75), Reed, Arter (Kebano 63), Cairney (Johansen 75), Knockaert (Cavaleiro 70), Reid (Le Marchand 75), Mitrovic. Subs: Subs not used: Bettinelli, Christie, Sessegnon, McDonald.

Referee: Tony Harrington.