Mateusz Klich on Leeds United's simplicity at its best as midfielder predicts breakaway top three

Klich himself came close to a bagging a first ever hat-trick which the Pole admitted was on his mind during the closing stages of Saturday's rout at Elland Road.

The midfielder's second brace for Leeds helped United to an easy victory with the Pole's double accompanied by strikes from Patrick Bamford and Helder Costa to take the Whites back to the top of the division.

Leeds are now one point above West Brom who visit Preston North End on Monday evening for a game Klich admits he will likely be watching with Leeds hoping for a favour from Alex Neil's Lilywhites.

Yet Klich remains firmly focused on United taking care of their own business themselves with the Polish international left saluting a case of job done in no nonsense style against Jonathan Woodgate's Middlesbrough.

"We had problems with scoring goals and today we scored four and we won, three points," said Klich.

"We are very happy, easy, simple as that.

"We didn't want to wait like at Reading or Luton for the winning goal.

"We wanted to score as soon as possible and we scored at the very beginning of the game.

"It's always easier to play when you score an early goal and today was very important."

After Bamford had fired United into a third-minute lead, Klich then pounced in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to double the home advantage.

Costa's powerful strike then put United 3-0 up three minutes after the hour and Leeds and Klich then saved their best until last as the Whites worked a short corner to the Pole who thumped a brilliant effort into the top right corner in the 73rd minute.

The midfielder was suddenly on a hat-trick with the 29-year-old trying his best to add a third in the final 17 minutes but more than happy to leave a late direct free kick to Kalvin Phillips.

"Kalvin is better with free-kicks," said Klich.

"After scoring my second I was trying to get into a position to shoot but I couldn't get into position. I have never scored a hat-trick in my life but I was trying to."

Assessing his second strike, the modest Pole said simply: "It worked well and I finally found my spot and I tried it."

The splendid effort put Klich on four goals for the season but more importantly he says helped United to a fifth-straight win which sent Leeds back to the top of the table.

All eyes will now be on West Brom's clash at Deepdale tomorrow night with Klich admitting there was now a strong possibility of a breakaway three in Leeds, West Brom and Fulham forming at the top of the division.

Fulham - who have won five in a row - remain five points behind United in third and Klich admits there is a strong possibility of the Whites, Baggies and Cottagers pulling clear and being this season's Leeds, Norwich City and Sheffield United.

"It looks like it," admitted Klich.

"Fulham are playing very good football and they have got Mitrovic with 15 goals.

"West Brom in my opinion are the best team in the league who are always there and we are trying to play our football and if we are going to play like today and if we are going to score goals then it's going to be all right."

]Asked if he would be watching Monday night's events at Deepdale, Klich admitted: "Yeah probably. It's going to be a good game to watch.

"Preston are a strong side this season as well and they play at home. They lost very badly against Hull and they will really want to win so let's see."