Leeds United Under-23s claim emphatic Fulham win to end the year on top in Premier League 2

Leeds United's Under-23s outfit ended 2020 in style on Monday afternoon with an impressive 7-1 victory over Fulham.

Mark Jackson's side ensured that they would enter the new year at the top of the Premier League 2 second division with a scintillating display at Thorp Arch.

United's development squad was able to call upon Pablo Hernandez, Helder Costa, Tyler Roberts and Ian Poveda for the visit of the Cottagers.

The Whites raced into the lead after just three minutes as Roberts headed home from a Costa corner in the opening stages.

Leeds added a second before the half hour mark and it was no more than the hosts deserved as they dominated the Londoners.

Charlie Cresswell this time got himself free in the box from another corner to tower a header home. Fulham defender Connor McAvoy then inadvertently turned the ball into his own net minutes later to give Leeds a three-goal cushion at the break.

Visiting goalkeeper George Wickens was largely responsible for making sure the scoreline stayed respectable during the opening period but United pushed on again after the interval and got their reward.

Pablo Hernandez bagged himself a place on the scoresheet with a clever turn inside the box and was replaced on the hour mark with his afternoon complete.

Substitute Joe Gelhardt won himself a penalty moments after his introduction with a smart run into the area but the playmaker failed to convert from the penalty spot, seeing his effort saved onto the post.

Fellow forward Bobby Kamwa, though, was on hand to knock home the rebound as he reacted quickest.

Gelhardt went in search of a goal as he went close not once but twice before eventually scoring with a lovely low curling effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Winger Costa then rounded off the scoring in the final minute of added time, converting a low Poveda cross into the roof of the net.

The emphatic victory left Leeds at the summit of the Premier League 2 second division heading into January with 22 points from 11 games.

Leeds United U23s: Caprile, Drameh, Davis (Huggins 45'), Jenkins, Cresswell, Casey, Poveda, Greenwood, Roberts (Gelhardt 61'), Hernandez (Kamwa 61'), Costa. Subs: Christy, Kenneh.