Leeds United send strong message to rivals with scintillating display at Hull City - YEP Jury

MATTHEW EVANS

Well it’s about time that we finally got an away day where we could go and chill out in the stands enjoy some of the liquid football on display and laugh jovially when a pass went astray or a shot hit the bar.

Even so, that didn’t happen before much grumbling at our subdued first-half performance which was lit up only by a Luke Ayling deflected goal and Pablo Hernandez rattling the woodwork.

The second half was a different story as we looked threatening around the box and broke with purpose whenever we got the chance.

There were some familiar characters at the heart of this performance, Mateusz Klich continues to shine and Stuart Dallas is unrecognisable from the bit part player of a couple of seasons ago.

Luke Ayling and Pablo Hernandez were central to the victory despite imperfect showings and Helder Costa looked much improved once United we ‘on it’. Tyler Roberts obviously was great in the final stages but it’s Jack Harrison’s tenacity, skill and all-round effort that wins him man of the match for me.

Overall a superb performance.

Man of the match: Jack Harrison.

DAVID WATKINS

What a second half that was! At half-time I was nervous despite the one-goal advantage as, to be honest, we weren’t playing very well!

Too many passes were going astray and we were giving Hull more ball than their play deserved!

After the break the quick-fire goal from Pablo Hernandez seemed to rip the heart out of the Tigers and, with Leeds then being far more careful with the ball, it looked much more like any other United display this season.

There were still chances going begging of course but the arrival on the pitch of Tyler Roberts, who, from the minute he came on looked eager to prove a point or two, was the catalyst to finally posting a decent score to go with the decent performance.

Two sharply taken goals suggest Tyler maybe back to his best and we can only ponder what damage he might have done in the Championship had he been available and picked all season. All we have been short of is someone with a killer instinct in front of goal and Tyler had it in spades in his half hour cameo.

Man of the match: Jack Harrison.

JACOB STARR

Prime Bielsaball was on show in the second half which saw a mesmerising Leeds team completely demolish a Hull side lacking in ideas with a four-goal haul at the KCOM Stadium.

Luke Ayling’s deflected strike and questionable celebration started things off with only five minutes on the clock and Pablo Hernandez had an effort come back off the bar, but the Whites failed to stamp their authority and the first half fizzled out.

After the break it was a total contrast. Hernandez netted two minutes into the half with a cute finish, before Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Helder Costa all had shots saved.

Harrison then struck the post with a delicious curling strike before super-sub Tyler Roberts scored twice from two Klich passes in four minutes, including a terrific header.

Illan Meslier made his league debut in Kiko Casilla’s absence but was a bystander for 90 minutes. However, the Frenchman still managed to make more passes than any Hull player.

Friday’s ruling on Casilla seemed to galvanise the players and fans alike, ensuring Leeds remain five points clear of Fulham.

Brentford yet again dropped points and West Brom suffered the same result as Leeds did at home to Wigan, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat meaning the gap at the top now stands at only one point. A three horse race is beginning to open up.

Man of the match: Jack Harrison.

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds moved to within one point of West Brom at the top of the Championship thanks to an incredible 4-0 away win at sorry Hull City.

The Baggies surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Wigan. The win for United brought up a series of ‘fours’. Fourth win, fourth clean sheet and fourth ‘double’ in a row.

Leeds were ahead just as a few fans were settling in their seats, Luke ‘Bill’ Ayling the scorer, although his shot took a massive deflection off a Hull City defender.

The second half was a battle between Hull keeper George Long and the vibrant Leeds attack.

At least four times he denied United, but he was beaten three times as Pablo Hernandez and substitute Tyler Roberts (2) got the goals.

After three games of sitting nervously through games I actually sat back and really enjoyed a wonderful Leeds display. They were brilliant!

From one to 14 (three substitutes) all the players deserve credit as they registered their highest away win since 2011 when on an emotional night after the passing of Gary Speed they beat Forest by the same score.

Next weekend a resurgent Huddersfield Town cross the valley to Elland Road. It promises to be another ‘cracker’ at the already sold out stadium. Ten more ‘finals’ to play and I for one can’t wait for every one of them!

Man of the match: Everyone in a white shirt.

ANDY RHODES

If ever there was a sign that Leeds have turned their form around, this was it.

Many feared that the game against Hull would be more difficult than last week’s trip to the Riverside, but just five minutes in Luke Ayling put everyone’s minds at ease.

From then Leeds looked fully in control and back to their scintillating best. Pablo Hernandez pulled the strings throughout and was inches away from scoring himself.

As was Jack Harrison. The winger has come of age this season, often being an outlet when Leeds play themselves out of trouble. His quick feet and burning pace set United up for their second and third goals, and he was someone that the Tigers just couldn’t handle.

The goals came from all over the park, and everyone will be pleased to see Tyler Roberts chipping in with a late brace. His diving header showed that, despite another injury, he’s still as sharp as ever.

With Leeds now unbeaten in five, they’re sending a strong message to the rest of the league.

Man of the match: Jack Harrison.

MIKE GILL

At last, a just reward for United’s efforts. Luke Ayling’s early goal somehow set the agenda for this fine performance. Pablo Hernandez rattled the woodwork a few minutes later and the Whites seemed to be on their way.

However, for the rest of the first half United faltered as they found that the Tigers were matching them toe to toe in a congested midfield. Unfortunately for Hull, their efforts did not produce anything positive.

The second half began with Helder Costa setting up Pablo Hernandez with a finely-taken goal and from this point there was no doubt about the outcome as the Whites strode the pitch with a swagger.

Patrick Bamford was withdrawn and applauded for his unselfish hard work. He was replaced by Tyler Roberts who looked like a man on a mission.

The fit-again youngster crowned a lovely cameo with two well-taken goals. The first he nicked from the feet of Stuart Dallas after good work from Mateusz Klich and the second was a fine looping header also ably assisted by the Pole.

Man of the match: Mateusz Klich.