Coventry City were comprehensively out-played and well beaten by a slick attacking Leeds United side who thumped them 3-0 at Elland Road.
The home side took the early lead when danger man Wilfried Gnonto was given far too much time and space just inside the box to convert a square pass from Junior Firpo on the left, firing a first time shot into the top corner in the 16th minute.
Ben Wilson came to the rescue with a brilliant save to deny Largie Ramazani just before the half hour mark and it was the home side’s inaccuracy in front of goal that prevented them from extending their lead rather than any impressive defending in a poor first half in which the Sky Blues failed to create a single attempt on goal themselves.
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That finally came early after the break when Ben Sheaf attempted a shot, albeit flying high and wide of the goal, but Daniel Farke’s men picked City off in the 49th minute when full-back Jaydon Bogle played a one-two down the right and fired in off the keeper, who got a touch but couldn’t stop it hitting the back of the net.
Mark Robins threw on Haji Wright, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Brandon Thomas-Asante just after the hour but the Sky Blues were chasing the game and Leeds were content to sit back, soak up any pressure and hit City on the counter attack, knowing that the three points were in the bag.
But the home side weren’t finished there and hit City with a long ball that sprang Gnonto free down the right before he pulled it back to unmarked substitute Joel Piroe who hit home first time from about ten yards out.
STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
BEN WILSON: 5
Made a confident start, kicking well to beat the opposition press when required. Dived at Ramazani’s feet to win the ball but then spilled it, but recovered to get back on his line to parry away a long range attempted lob from Gruev. Pulled off a brilliant save to deny Ramazani in the 27th minute. Got a hand to the second but couldn’t stop it going in. Beaten from point blank range for the third.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 4.5
Deployed at right-back but stood off United’s players far too much in a really difficult first half with the home side bossed possession by 62 percent. Moved into midfield on the hour.
BOBBY THOMAS: 4.5
Mis-judged a tackle to allow Aaronson a free hit at goal, albeit firing well wide of the target. Like the rest of his teammates, struggled to contain United's movement in the final third.
LIAM KITCHING: 4.5
Played with aggression and determination and certainly had a busy first 45 minutes as United gave City the run-around. Cleared to Gruev for an attempted lob of the keeper.
JAY DASILVA: 4.5
Conceded an early foul on the edge of the box to invite pressure in the second minute but defended reasonably well in the first half but he and his teammates were given the run-around by Bogle after the break as United extended their lead.
JOSH ECCLES: 5.5/6
Covered lots of ground, getting his foot in to win possession but occasionally loose with his passing early on. But grew into the game with another mature performance in difficult circumstances.
BEN SHEAF: 4.5
Made a welcome return to the starting line-up and showed no ill effects of his injury when he slid in to a tackle in the opening few minutes. Looked rusty as he gave the ball away on one occasion, facing his own goal but got through 60 minutes which has to be one of the biggest positives of the afternoon.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 4.5
Deployed on the right wing but, not surprisingly, required to get back to defend to help Latibeaudiere. Just not on his game today.
JACK RUDONI: 4.5
Worked hard but a relative bystander as Leeds dominated the opening 45 minutes, the attacking midfielder struggling to get on the ball and involved in the game.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK: 4.5
Played more like a wing-back than winger as City worked hard but struggled to contain a quick and fluid Leeds United attack. Rarely managed to caused problems going forward in a poor first half from City who, to coin a phrase, never laid a glove on Leeds.
ELLIS SIMMS: 4
Cut a lone figure up top in the first half with City rarely troubling the home defence. Replaced on the hour
SUBSTITUTES:
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE (61 mins, for Simms): 4.5
Worked hard and lively but Leeds contained him well. Wriggled free to hit the best shot of the match for City, forcing the keeper to make a good save.
HAJI WRIGHT (61 mins, for Sheaf): 4
Showed a couple of nice touches but unable to affect the game as United continued to boss the game.
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (61 mins, for Mason-Clark): 4
Scurried about but rarely caused problems for a well organised opposition.
VICTOR TORP (80 mins, for Rudoni)
Subs (not used): Oliver Dovin (GK), Jake Bidwell, Luis Binks, Norman Bassette, Kai Andrews.
LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo; Ethan Ampadu 40 mins, for Ao Tanaka), Ilia Gruev; Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, Largie Ramazani (70 mins, for Joel Piroe); Mateo Joseph.
Subs (not used): Karl Darlow (GK), Joe Rothwell, Patrick Bamford, Sam Byram, Joe Gelhardt, Isaac Schmidt, James Debayo.
GOALS:
LEEDS: Gnonto (16), Bogle (49), Piroe (79)
SKY BLUES:
REFEREE: Gavin Ward.
ATTENDANCE: 36,625.
NEXT UP: Blackburn Rovers (h), Tuesday, October 1 (7.45pm).
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