YEP Jury: Leeds United make huge statement of intent in four-goal Middlesbrough blitz

After so many close, tense finishes in recent games, our fans' panel certainly enjoyed Leeds United's thumping 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Patrick Bamford opens the scoring for Leeds United.Patrick Bamford opens the scoring for Leeds United.
Patrick Bamford opens the scoring for Leeds United.

DAVID WATKINS

Now that was a performance! Finally our regular domination of the match stats has been reflected in the score!

This one reminded me of our demolition of West Brom last March when we also scored early and went on to win 4-0.

Mateusz Klich celebrates his second goal against Middlesbrough.Mateusz Klich celebrates his second goal against Middlesbrough.
Mateusz Klich celebrates his second goal against Middlesbrough.
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We showed a marked improvement this time in our efficiency up front, with 10 of our 16 goal attempts hitting the target; compare that with just two from 16 at Reading on Tuesday.

Two of the shots were hit with real venom and accuracy from Helder Costa and Mateusz Klich and it just shows how hitting the target regularly is probably the most crucial feature of a game.

Leeds have now played AND beaten six of the current bottom seven sides in the table, a record we could only have dreamed about in the many dark years prior to the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa when we’d often find a banana skin in such games.

These days we are putting them away and if we can beat Huddersfield next Saturday we’ll have a full set of wins against all of the current bottom seven.

Helder Costa scores against Middlesbrough.Helder Costa scores against Middlesbrough.
Helder Costa scores against Middlesbrough.

Man of the match: Helder Costa.

ANDY RHODES

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Any fears that the Yorkshire derby atmosphere would put the game on a knife edge were allayed inside three minutes against Middlesbrough.

Patrick Bamford’s third goal in four games got Leeds off to the perfect start.

Marcelo Bielsa on the sidelines against Middlesbrough.Marcelo Bielsa on the sidelines against Middlesbrough.
Marcelo Bielsa on the sidelines against Middlesbrough.

His finish set the tone for the game which never looked like turning in Boro’s favour.

With a barrage of United shots on target in the first half, it was no surprise that they went in at the half-time break leading 2-0.

Mateusz Klich’s two goals were excellent.

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After the first Leeds were cruising, and when Helder Costa lashed in his first league goal, the game was done.

Costa deserved his goal after a run of impressive performances, while Klich’s second was the icing on the cake.

The win sets Leeds up nicely for a trip to Kirklees next weekend.

If they extended the winning run there then it will be another significant statement of intent.

Man of the match: Mateusz Klich.

MATTHEW EVANS

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A 4-0 victory against Middlesbrough would suggest that it all came together for United but, even though we were very dominant, we weren’t at our very, very best and that’s a good sign.

We dispatched Middlesbrough comfortably without ever hitting top gear.

We could have won the game in the opening seven minutes thanks to a relentless attacking threat and the visitors struggling to get to grips with what they needed to do to stop United going forward. Luke Ayling went close but it was Patrick Bamford that put us ahead early doors with only his second goal of the season at Elland Road.

Middlesbrough are one of the poorest sides we’ve seen so far and could be in danger of relegation if they don’t make changes soon. Pablo Hernandez is showing signs of being back to his best form and he and Helder Costa should probably play together more often. Patrick Bamford worked incredibly hard in attack but Mateusz Klich deserves man of the match for an all-round excellent display and two goals, the second of which, will be a contender for goal of the season.

Man of the match: Mateusz Klich.

KEITH INGHAM

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There aren’t many games that you feel so relaxed you can actually sit back and enjoy what a superb team you’re actually supporting. Saturday was one of those days. Leeds simply swept Middlesbrough aside with a 4-0 hammering that kept them at the top of the Championship.

Leeds went for their opponents from the first minute and Patrick Bamford headed in to make it three goals in four games for the striker.

Mateusz Klich’s first goal in a while just before the break meant the Leeds fans could enjoy their half-time beverages with a smile on their faces.

Leeds scored their third and fourth goals in a six-minute spell after 67 minutes.

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First, Helder Costa found himself in the area and he nearly took the net out of the goal with a powerful effort that Aynsley Pears could do nothing about. They say you leave the best till last and in this case it was so, Kalvin Phillips’ short corner found its way to the magical boot of Klich who bent a beautiful shot past the bemused and beaten Boro defence to complete a dominant display.

These are tough days for Jonathan Woodgate and it is hoped he is at least given a little time to try and boost a pitifully poor squad. Leeds, on the other hand, go from strength to strength and it is hoped they can sustain this unbeaten run into the Christmas period, if they can, it could be one hell of a party come May!

A fantastic display by the men in white and the goals to go with it.

Man of the match: Mateusz Klich.

MIKE GILL

After a series of hard-fought wins by narrow margins it was good to enjoy a convincing and well-deserved win at Elland Road.

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From Patrick Bamford’s third-minute diving header to the closing seconds, Leeds picked Boro apart mercilessly.

When Mateusz Klich claimed the second goal after a lovely lay off from Bamford, it was clear that for once, United would be able to enjoy a one-sided competition.

Throughout the second half, the Whites never took their foot off the pedal as wave after wave of attacks kept Boro pinned back.

Helder Costa took a bow, scoring his first Championship goal for United and Klich scored his second, bringing back memories of his succession of long range strikes early last season.

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Perhaps the most impressive part of this performance was the way that Leeds never let up, indeed Stuart Dallas and Jack Harrison were making gut-busting runs even as the final whistle was blown, allowing Boro to skulk away to a quiet corner and lick their wounds.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.

SHAUN SMITH

Saturday's match proved what a huge gulf there is between Leeds United and Middlesbrough – one team full of courageous lions with hearts of steel. The other, straw men.

The yellow brick road looks clear for Leeds United right now, five victories on the bounce and sweat and swagger in perfect balance.

There was wizardry aplenty all over the pitch.

Jack Harrison is some athlete, Luke Ayling was here, there and everywhere and everyone was on song.

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Interestingly, there’s developing an interplay between Pablo Hernandez and Patrick Bamford that is forged in recognition that the other is a class act. Stuart Dallas was admirable. Helder Costa frothy, Mateusz Klich is becoming the number 10 he always wanted to be.

Now, let’s see if we have the nerve.

Man of the match: Patrick Bamford.