Bristol City 1-3 Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa's side start Championship season with win
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Pablo Hernandez, who scored 12 goals for Leeds last season, scored his first of the new campaign at Ashton Gate
Promotion favourites Leeds United began their Championship season in fine style, putting in an impressive performance to win convincingly at Bristol City.
Leeds deserved their 1-0 half-time lead, which came courtesy of a curling 20-yard effort from Pablo Hernandez into Dan Bentley's top corner.
The veteran Spaniard spearheaded their attacking threat at Ashton Gate and created their second goal for Patrick Bamford, dribbling past Callum O'Dowda before crossing for the striker to nod in at the near post.
As City pushed for a reply, they were caught on the counter-attack and Leeds winger Jack Harrison added a third from close range.
The visitors' high-pressing, high-intensity style, which has become their trademark under boss Marcelo Bielsa, limited Bristol City to few clear chances.
The hosts were guilty of too many loose passes in the final third, but grabbed a late goal when Andreas Weimann fired into the bottom corner.
That goal started a brief rally and lifted the spirits of the home support, but Leeds were good value for their win.
Leeds impress in opening game
After a third-place finish and a play-off semi-final defeat by Derby last season, Leeds began their 16th consecutive season outside the Premier League on Sunday.
They have been tipped to overcome that disappointment this term, and answered any doubts about their status as favourites to go up with a dominant display in their opening fixture.
"We managed both halves very well in the first 30 minutes, but at the same time, in the last 15 minutes we conceded too much possession," Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds.
The Argentine stuck largely with the players that got them so close to the top flight, but gave centre-back Ben White his debut and brought on another loan signing, Wolves' Portuguese winger Helder Costa, from the bench.
Ben White had never appeared at Championship level or above before an assured Leeds debut at Ashton Gate
The days leading up to Thursday's transfer deadline could be important to their promotion chances, however.
Bielsa will be looking to strengthen his squad further, while last season's leading scorer Kemar Roofe has been linked with a move to Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht and rumours of Kalvin Phillips being targeted by Premier League clubs persist, despite Leeds recently opening talks with the 23-year-old over a new contract.
Phillips was exceptional in midfield against the Robins; breaking up City attacks, keeping possession smartly and spreading the play with passes to wide areas.
Towards the other end of the experience scale, 34-year-old Hernandez continued the superb form that has made him a fans' favourite at Elland Road by playing a pivotal role in the first two goals.
City signings expected before deadline
Like Leeds, there is genuine hope from Bristol City that they can challenge for promotion, but they must improve on their opening-day showing if they are going to better last season's eighth place.
Head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol: "We were honest, we worked our socks off, but inevitably they had more quality than us. We didn't cope with their relentless pressing.
"We need a bit more quality, which hopefully we'll get in the next few days.
"It's a good standard for the lads to feel, because if [Leeds] keep that XI fit, they are top, top for the Championship. They were better than us and we have to be honest about that."
City have been one of the bigger spenders in the second tier this summer, although much of their business has been to tie up players who impressed during loan spells last season on long-term deals.
However, it is likely that more new faces will be added before the transfer window closes.
Owner Steve Lansdown confirmed before kick-off that City are in talks to sign French teenager Han-Noah Massengo from Monaco for a fee reported to be 8m euros (£7.3m).
He also said he will look to reinvest some of the £20m raised by the sale of defender Adam Webster to Brighton on Saturday, meaning there could be a busy few days ahead.