Player of the year conundrum, Patrick Bamford's message and Leeds United's title chances - Talking Points

Luke's Ayling's all the threes

Right-back Luke Ayling's scorching volley spoke for itself but there was even more to the defender's rocket then met the eye.

Weirdly, the volley scored in the third minute became Ayling's third goal in his last five games on a weekend where his daughter celebrated her third birthday.

No wonder the 28-year-old celebrated in such style.

The defender has been in fantastic form for some time now and while it will be very difficult deciding, Ayling has to be a very strong contender to be United's player of the year.

Ben White's improvement and Kalvin Phillips injury latest

Especially given the nature of his stunning goal, Ayling was a worthy winner of the man of the match award but several players ran him close, especially Ben White who is definitely getting better and better as a holding midfielder when deputising for Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips' knee injury is not serious and the midfielder is expected to return for Sunday's clash at Cardiff City.

Spare a thought also for Jack Harrison who will have been delighted to have bagged his first assist of 2020 but must be wondering quite what he has to do to score after seeing two almost identical strikes cannon back off the woodwork for two games running.

Patrick's Bamford message

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa once again kept the faith with Patrick Bamford in the lone striker role, despite the forward having gone seven games without a goal and netting in just one of his last 13 games.

Moreover, Tyler Roberts excelled when handed an opportunity in the no 9 role when coming for Bamford with 23 minutes left of the previous weekend's 4-0 romp at Hull in which Roberts quickly bagged a brace.

But after a pretty quiet first half, the relief was obvious as Bamford got himself in the right place at the right time to convert United's second goal from close range in the 51st minute.

Almost immediately, Bamford appeared to have an extra spring in his step - as would be natural after ending a frustrating run - and the forward left to a standing ovation with the crowd singing his name when taken off for Roberts with 11 minutes left.

The striker then took to social media to say "what a win, thank you for your amazing support as always" and historically when Bamford ends something of a goal drought, a few more goals in quick succession usually follow.

Going up as champions?

Whites chief executive Angus Kinnear said in his programme notes that Leeds were looking up towards catching West Brom and not down at the chasing pack outside of the automatic promotion spots.

By 5pm on Saturday tea-time, the Baggies were suddenly left with the task of overhauling United after their goalless draw at Swansea City which has left the Whites one point clear in first place.

The only gap that really matters is the one back to third which now stands at seven points after Fulham also had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Following five-straight wins and five consecutive clean sheets, Leeds are clearly looking good with nine games left, even if the best available odds of 1-33 about a top-two finish look somewhat on the short side.

But considering that West Brom still have to play Fulham and Brentford, United really ought to have excellent prospects of finishing not just in the top two but being promoted as champions.

Caution should clearly be advised, especially with last season's late collapse in mind and the fact that Leeds have already seen an 11-point cushion wiped down to mere goal difference within just two months.

The picture could also change somewhat in the next two games with Leeds facing a tough looking game at play-offs chasing Cardiff City next Sunday before a week on Wednesday's crunch clash against Fulham at Elland Road.

But Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley said in the aftermath of Saturday's defeat that Leeds were "absolutely" Premier League bound with the Terriers boss talking about "when" United are promoted and not "if."