Despite the foggy conditions causing all sorts of problems for viewers and players alike, Leeds United He still managed to pull off a relatively straightforward win over Stoke City on Boxing Day.
A 2-0 win away to Potters sent the Whites to the top of the table championship Summit, having capitalized on a rare Sheffield United loss at home to confidently overcome the lackluster hosts of Narcissus Bellach.
Joel Pirro would be the difference maker on the night, as the former Swansea City player scored his side's hits in the harsh elements and was thankfully not outdone by the Dutchman's clinical nature in front of goal.
Piero's performance in numbers
The Whites' No.10 is tipped to step up for his promotion-chasing side, considering he has not scored in his last five league games before this brace against Stoke.
From just 32 touches of the ballPerroy was displaying a killer instinct in the forward positions which saw him score an impressive goal 22 goals in the tournament To his former employers at Swansea during the 2021/22 campaign, before embarking on a new adventure in West Yorkshire.
Far from just being a goalscoring champion, Perroy also made two key passes to try and create chances for his teammates, while also winning four duels to get stuck and fight through what was an attritional contest on points.
The Dutchman was bought at the start of Farke's reign at the club, and has proven that he remains a worthwhile addition, especially if his contributions continue to finally bring them promotion glory.
However, there is another face in the Leeds ranks now shining brighter than the two-goal striker, as the leaders appear to have found another gem using the loan market.
New Leeds Ben White
Once upon a time – before he became a Premier League regular with Arsenal – Ben White was a popular loan figure at Elland Road, with the 27-year-old Present for every single minute of the Championship that could come his way during Leeds' title-winning season under Marcelo Bielsa.
Fast forward to today, and Joe Rothwell will be hoping he will be remembered similarly when this campaign ends, with the Whites also managing to climb out of the Second Division once again.
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Rothwell vs Stoke numbers |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Rothwell |
|
Minutes played |
80 |
|
Goals were scored |
0 |
|
Helps |
0 |
|
Touches |
95 |
|
Accurate passes |
78/83 (95%) |
|
Key passes |
2 |
|
Minute crosses |
2/5 |
|
Accurate long balls |
5/7 |
|
Total duels won |
4/5 |
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Statistics by SofaScore |
|
As can be seen by looking at the table above, Rothwell put in another tidy display for the loan side, with only five misplaced passes next to his name come the full-time whistle of his 95 touches.
However, like Perroy, the 29-year-old has also won his fair share of duels in foggy Stoke far from simply doing his job stylishly, with only one duel lost from five attempts.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Donohue will praise Rothwell's display at the full-time whistle, giving the 6ft-1 star height Match rating 7/10 Pointing out that Leeds player number eight was “active” all the time.
Leeds will now be hoping their hot new loanee – in the mold of White – can keep those offers coming, having already tasted promotion success to the Championship on his CV with original employers AFC Bournemouth.
Of course, West Yorkshire supporters are well aware of the twists and turns this division can bring, but if players like Rothwell and Pirro can continue to perform to these standards, Leeds should be in and around those automatic promotion spots right. Until May.
