Leeds United 3-0 Watford: Joel Piroe scores in Daniel Farke's first Elland Road league win

Sam Byram jumps above the Watford defence to score Leeds' second goalImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Defender Sam Byram scored his first goal of the season for Leeds to double their lead against Watford

Leeds secured their first home league win in nine games with a clinical 3-0 victory over Watford at Elland Road.

The Whites dominated the 90 minutes with Georginio Rutter having a goal ruled out for offside and Daniel Bachmann keeping a muted Watford on level terms with a string of excellent saves during the first half.

Joel Piroe's fourth goal of the campaign finally gave Leeds their just rewards after 67 minutes with a tap-in from close range, before Sam Byram's header made it deservedly 2-0 three minutes later.

Jaidon Anthony wrapped up the three points in the final minute of regular time as a dismal Watford stretched their run without a win away from home to 12 league games.

Leeds did the double over Watford the last time they met in the Premier League two seasons ago, with this the first time they have ever won three consecutively against the Hornets.

After being held to a 0-0 draw against Hull on Wednesday, Leeds boss Daniel Farke must have been scratching his head as to how his side were not ahead at the break this time. His first home league win would come, but first came the frustration.

Bachmann produced two excellent early saves, first to deny Ethan Ampadu and then Rutter whose effort from a few yards out really should have gone in.

Rutter later got the ball in the net, turning in the box to slot in a pass from Piroe, only to see the offside flag rightly raised. Crysencio Summerville's close-range shot was kept out by the Watford keeper and Dan James saw appeals for a penalty waved away after he went down in the box.

After a first 45 minutes with no efforts on goal, Watford boss Valerien Ismael made three changes at half-time to try and turn the tide, but to little avail.

Piroe sent a shot over the bar as more Leeds chances went begging before the striker finally ended the hosts' frustrations by volleying into the net from a perfectly weighted cross from James.

Byram, back in the starting 11 as one of four changes, headed in his first goal of the campaign minutes later from a corner.

Substitute Anthony put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute, slotting the ball past Bachmann in a one-on-one with the Hornets keeper.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:

"That we returned to the dressing room with a clean sheet is for me the most pleasing topic today.

"Obviously it's a great result for us, great performance. Even in the first half I was so, so happy because we totally dominated this game, we created so many chances in the first half; didn't allow them to have one chance. It was hard for them to get a touch in our half.

"Second half we were able to convert our dominance into great goals, we could have scored perhaps a few more.

"But we then also showed the discipline to stay concentrated and focused. Although we would have won the game anyway, we had the greediness, when it was 2-0, to bring it over the line.

"Illan [Meslier] was not much involved today but in the 95th minute he had to be there with a save to stay that concentrated and focused."

Watford manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"Today was not enough, congratulations Leeds more than deserved the three points.

"But we have to make it harder. I think the first half for sure Leeds were really good but we didn't create any chances, any set-pieces, and so it was difficult.

"At half-time we changed the shape, we were better in the game actually. it was an away game so it was always difficult but I think we were more and more stable.

"We made it too easy to make it 1-0 for Leeds and after that it became a very difficult game. We need to learn from the game but the main point is even when Leeds have Premier League players and the technical quality is high we have to make it harder, difficult to beat us and unfortunately it was too easy."

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