Pablo Hernandez excels on comeback as first team quartet help Leeds United under-23s move top

Hernandez returned from a muscular issue as an unused substitute in Friday night's 2-1 loss at home to West Ham United and started for the 23s in Sunday's 1pm kick-off at Thorp Arch.

Pascal Struijk also started in the holding midfield role whilst fellow first team squad members Ian Poveda and Tyler Roberts were named on the bench and both came through 45 minutes in the second half with Roberts netting what proved the winning goal.

Playing in the no 10 role behind striker Joe Gelhardt, Hernandez immediately began pulling the strings and started a flowing move which led to a fine chance for Niall Huggins in the seventh minute.

Huggins saw his shot from inside the box saved but Leeds and Hernandez continued to impress with the Spaniard then producing an outrageous nutmeg and attempted lob from 50 yards out which was saved by Tom Heaton.

Villa, though, struck against the run of play to take a 25th-minute lead as the impressive Jaden Philogene-Bidace was afforded too much space and ran in on goal before producing a firm low shot which zipped off the slippery surface and beat Elia Caprile.

Leeds continued to dominate and a brilliant pass from Hernandez released Bobby Kamwa whose shot was saved but Villa then doubled their lead as Tyreik Wright shifted the ball past Charlie Cresswell before beating Caprile from inside the box.

Yet a rapid response of two goals inside 90 seconds brought Leeds level with Kamwa first sliding the ball home from a corner before United were then awarded a penalty for handball.

Sam Greenwood converted the spot kick and another sublime Hernandez pass then sent Gelhardt clear only for Heaton to save.

A crazy first half then ended with a free-kick from Philogene-Bidace bouncing back off the crossbar.

Hernandez was then taken off at the break with Struijk and Leif Davis also making way as Roberts, Poveda and Jack Jenkins were introduced.

A smart save from Caprile kept out Wright shortly after the restart before Roberts fired wide after good work from Poveda on the left.

Caprile then once again denied Wright with Callum Rowe skying the rebound over the bar.

Greenwood, who excelled in the no 8 role, then opted to shoot following a strong run but saw his shot saved when Poveda was free.

Poveda then blazed an effort well wide from the left but United were then awarded their second penalty for a foul on the lively Kamwa.

Roberts stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly sent Heaton the wrong way to put the Whites in front.

United continued to attack looking for a fourth and only a stunning save from Heaton kept out Oliver Casey's header from a corner.

Villa then made a late surge looking for an equaliser but in the end Villa were fortunate not to concede a fourth with Roberts and Gelhardt both going close in the closing stages.

Leeds United under-23s v Aston Villa: Caprile, Drameh, Davis (Poveda 45), Struijk (Jenkins 45), Cresswell, Casey, Kamwa, Greenwood, Gelhardt, Hernandez (Roberts 45), Huggins. Subs not used: Christy, Kenneh.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins