Leeds United moved to the highest of the Championship desk on objective distinction on Boxing Day with a comparatively snug 2-0 win at Stoke away from dwelling.
The Whites secured the three factors because of a double from Joel Piroe, who scored both facet of half time, and at the moment are accountable for their future, because the lead on the high of the division is now for them to lose.
Daniel Farke will certainly be happy that his workforce put in a strong efficiency, maintaining a clear sheet, while additionally offering a powerful risk offensively.
The stability of his midfield set-up performed an enormous position within the facet’s total show, and Joe Rothwell starred for the Whites together with his displaying in the course of the park.
Joe Rothwell’s efficiency towards Stoke
The Bournemouth loanee was chosen to play forward of Japan worldwide Ao Tanaka and justified his choice alongside Ethan Ampadu with a terrific efficiency.
Rothwell displayed his high quality out and in of possession to stop Stoke from constructing assaults, in addition to with the ability to dictate play to develop performs for his workforce.
The English midfielder gained 4 of his 5 duels, made three tackles, and was not dribbled previous a single time, which reveals that he obtained the higher of the Stoke gamers most of the time in defensive conditions, to maintain Illan Meslier quiet.
In possession, the skilled maestro additionally accomplished 94% (78/83) of his tried passes and created two probabilities, displaying that he supplied reliability and creativity on the ball.
Efficiency in Numbers
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Rothwell was, subsequently, excellent as a box-to-box midfielder, however his show might have taken consideration away from central defender Pascal Struijk, who was the unsung hero for the Whites.
Pascal Struijk’s efficiency towards Stoke
Can he do it on a chilly Thursday evening in Stoke? Sure. It was not a simple night for defenders, with a thick fog limiting the visibility on the pitch, however the Dutch titan put in a superb show.
Narcis Pelach’s facet solely had 25% possession, regardless of enjoying at dwelling, on the evening and this meant that they have been typically in search of the longer move in an try to alleviate the stress that Leeds have been placing on them with their dominant play.
Farke, subsequently, wanted a participant to step up and win the aerial duels to stop Stoke from with the ability to win flick-ons and second balls to get themselves again into the sport, and that’s what Struijk did.
|
Vs Stoke |
Joe Rodon |
Pascal Struijk |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
90 |
|
Duels gained |
3 |
8 |
|
Aerial duel success price |
0% |
73% |
|
Touches |
104 |
110 |
|
Clearances |
0 |
2 |
|
Stats through Sofascore |
||
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, the academy graduate was the primary man from a defensive perspective for Leeds on Boxing Day, while his centre-back associate did not win a single aerial duel or make a clearance on the evening.
These statistics illustrate Struijk’s dominance on the coronary heart of the defence and present that he stored his workforce on high by successful nearly all of these essential aerial battles and stopping the house facet from getting again into the competition.
Subsequently, the left-footed colossus was an unsung hero for the Whites on the evening as a result of he did the soiled work that will have gone unnoticed.
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