Leeds comfortably defeated Plymouth 3-0, extending their unbeaten streak to eight games in the Championship and reaffirming their promotion aspirations.
Dan James, Joel Piroe, and Brenden Aaronson all found the back of the net in a dominant first half at Elland Road, putting Daniel Farke’s team ahead by three goals. It was a challenging afternoon for Wayne Rooney’s Argyle, who adopted an ultra-defensive approach but ultimately couldn’t find a response to Leeds’ superiority.
In the final quarter of the match, the hosts introduced teenagers Sam Chambers and Charlie Crew, as well as recent signing Joshua Guilavogui, who made their debuts. Despite failing to score in the second half, Farke’s side deservedly secured a resounding victory. However, for the first 30 minutes, Plymouth’s stubbornness frustrated Leeds, even though they controlled possession from the beginning.
It took a brilliant right-footed shot from Wales winger James, finding the top corner from 25 yards out in the 30th minute, to break the deadlock. Just three minutes later, Dutch striker Piroe tapped in from close range within the six-yard box. Finally, in the 38th minute, USA midfielder Aaronson calmly slotted home from close range to further extend Leeds’ lead.
Leeds came close early on in the second minute as the ball was delivered from the right side, but Piroe could only shoot over the crossbar.
The home team continued to put pressure on Argyle, who gave Caleb Roberts his first league start, and James curled a right-footed shot over from 20 yards in the eighth minute.
Just five minutes later, Willy Gnonto gained possession 20 yards away from the goal and unleashed a shot that narrowly missed Daniel Grimshaw’s left-hand post.
Plymouth offered no threat in attack, and Leeds came close to scoring in the middle of the first half when Sam Byram crossed from the right and Piroe’s volley hit the post.
Although Piroe was offside, so any goal would not have counted, it demonstrated Leeds’ attacking prowess.
Finally, in the 30th minute, the hosts took the lead. Gnonto found James from a corner, and the Welshman had enough time to strike an exceptional shot from 25 yards that flew into the top left corner of the net.
This goal opened the floodgates, and just three minutes later, Leeds doubled their advantage.
The shot from Japan’s midfielder Ao Tanaka was struck into the ground and fortuitously fell to Piroe, who neatly tucked the ball away from within the six-yard box.
This marked the Dutch player’s fifth goal of the season, and in the 38th minute, Leeds secured their third goal through Aaronson.
After some impressive footwork by Piroe, the ball deflected and found its way to the advancing Aaronson, who calmly placed it into the net.
With the victory virtually assured by halftime, Leeds dialed down their intensity in the second half.
Gnonto’s low shot narrowly missed the far corner, and in the 69th minute, Rooney made a substitution, bringing on Tegan Finn for his debut with Plymouth.
In the final quarter of the match, Farke introduced 17-year-old Chambers and 34-year-old Guilavogui for their debuts, while 18-year-old Crew also joined the game as Leeds comfortably emerged as winners.
