Leeds United 2-0 Huddersfield Town: Marcelo Bielsa labelled 'a genius' as hosts go top of Championship
- Published
Luke Ayling has scored four goals this campaign, two more than he had managed in his first three seasons with the club
Premier League promotion hopefuls Leeds United went top of the Championship and moved seven points clear of third-placed Fulham with a comfortable win over local rivals Huddersfield.
The hosts raced into a third-minute lead when full-back Luke Ayling smashed home a superb volley from Jack Harrison's deep cross.
Patrick Bamford wrapped up the win with a close-range finish after Town goalkeeper Jonas Lossl could only tip Ben White's header into his path, while Harrison also hit the woodwork for the hosts.
Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley described Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa as a "genius" after the match and is sure they will be playing top-flight football next season.
"If you are going to be outmanaged, then be outmanaged by a genius," said Cowley, who is in his first season as a Championship boss.
"I'm not sure we've ever got to that level of performance that Leeds did today. You look at the energy and intensity. He must be relentless in his demands of them to play with that physical output.
"I will be interested to see how the Premier League copes with them when Leeds go up."
Leeds take advantage as rivals slip
Leeds, who have now won their past five games without conceding a goal, made the most of West Bromwich Albion's 0-0 draw at Swansea to go back to the top of the table for the first time since 14 December.
Added to Fulham's draw at Bristol City and Nottingham Forest's home defeat by Millwall, Leeds were the only one of the Championship's top four to win this weekend.
Ayling opened the scoring in the first five minutes in last week's 4-0 win at Hull City and repeated the trick at Elland Road with a wonderful flying volley from Harrison's lofted centre.
Town, who had won their past two games to climb away from the bottom three, offered little but came close to a leveller when Trevoh Chalobah's shot threatened to squirm past Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.
Bamford ended his eight-match run without a goal to put the game beyond Town in the 51st minute and thereafter it was just a matter of whether Leeds could add to the score.
Marcelo Bielsa's men visit Cardiff a week on Sunday, while the Terriers, who are now just three points clear of the bottom three, host Wigan.
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds:
"We defended well, we didn't receive real chances, just the one in the first half. In attack, we could have scored maybe one more goal.
"I am happy for (Patrick Bamford), centre-forwards need to score. Today he scored a typical goal for a centre-forward."