By Sam Hill
LEEDS United showed a real gulf in class as they beat Cardiff City 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
First-half goals from Patrick Bamford and Daniel James, followed by a late goal from Georginio Rutter were the difference in the end.
The away side were able to control much of the early stages of the game without testing Jak Alnwick in the Cardiff goal. It only took the visiting side 13 minutes however to break the deadlock as Bamford scrambles the ball over the line following some pinball in the box, 3 in 3 for the red-hot Leeds man.
The Bluebirds were able to find some success after the goal with some space down the right following some good play between Perry Ng and Josh Bowler, the cross however was dealt with well by Joe Rodon.
Daniel Farke’s side had a flurry of chances to add to their lead midway through the half, first with Crycensio Summerville miscontrolling the ball in the box. Followed by Leeds number nine after 25 minutes the right footed shot was tame however and Alnwick dealt with it comfortably.
The Yorkshire side eventually did double their lead after 32 minutes through James. The Welshman had an easy tap in at the back post provided by a Summerville cross.
It was an all-action half for Bamford as Junior Firpo hands him a golden-chance to score after 37 minutes, once again the 30-year-old was unable to convert with his right foot.
Things went from bad to worse for Erol Bulut’s side going into the break as Captain Joe Ralls is forced to come off with an injury, replaced by youngster Rubin Colwill. The game was 2-0 as the players headed into the tunnel, Cardiff fans showing their displeasure at their sides performance as the whistle blew.
Bulut made two further changes at half time as they looked to get back into the game, Yakou Meite and Andy Rinomhota replaced Kion Etete and Manolis Siopis.
The early part of the second period continued much as the first had ended, with the away side in control and causing problems. Notably Summerville just finding the outside of the far post as he looked to curl one from the edge of the box, laid back well by Leeds’ number nine.
On the 59th minute James had an oppurtunity to finish an inch perfect chipped ball from 17-year-old Archie Gray, he chose to lob the keeper, and his effort came crashing off the bar going behind for a goal kick. The Cardiff substitute Colwill had an oppurtunity to register his side’s first shot on targer after 67 minutes, a good counter from Bowler down the right however the eventual shot went well over.
Much of the middle stages of the second half were comfortable for Leeds as they slowed the game down and looked to keep hold of the ball. The only bright spark for Cardiff in Josh Bowler was replaced by Ollie Tanner after 75 minutes, as Bulut was still looking for a way back into the game for his side.
This change injected some life into the Welsh outfit with their best spell of the game coming shortly after. A dribbling effort from Meite was the home teams first shot on target of the day.
This woke up Leeds once again as Rutter attempted an audacious chip from outside the box. Just moments later, from the resulting corner, the tricky Frenchman won a penalty following late contact from Mark McGuinness.
Summerville stepped up on 78 minutes to dispatch from the spot to make it 13 for him for the campaign, he was denied however by the post. Cardiff fans began to pour out the ground as the game crawled towards their second consecutive home loss.
Leeds were finally able to extend their lead after 88 minutes through Rutter. James broke well and picked out Summerville, who found the 21-year-old via a selfless Bamford dummy, the young attacker faked a shot on his left before slotting it away confidently with his right.
The match finished 3-0, Leeds picking up their first League away win in four. The three points vital in their chase of automatic promotion behind high-flying Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester.