Report: Leeds United 4-0 Oxford United

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 4 (James 9’, Bogle 57’, Aaronson 67’, Solomon 73’)

Oxford United 0

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Ampadu (C), Rodon, James, Rothwell (Guilavogui 83’), Piroe (Joseph 74’), Aaronson (Gnonto 74’), Solomon (Ramazani 74’), Tanaka, Byram (Schmidt 77’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Struijk, Bamford, Chambers.

Oxford: Cumming (GK), Brown, Vaulks (McEachran 77’), Moore (C), Placheta (Edwards 68’), Brannagan, Harris (Scarlett 78’), Dale (Rodrigues 62’), Goodrham, Leigh, Kioso (Long 78’). Subs not used: Ingram (GK), El Mizouni, ter Avest, Goodwin.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,646 (1,962 away)

Referee: James Bell

Booked: n/a

In a final home game for 2024 for Leeds United, Daniel Farke’s side produced an excellent display to claim a big three points against Oxford United.

An Elland Road crowd of 36,646 witnessed a clinical display in front of goal and saw their team make it nine wins on the bounce at Elland Road, scoring four unanswered goals in the process.

The hosts had a good chance to take the lead inside the opening minute. A quick start saw some pinball around the Oxford box, the ball fell to Ao Tanaka who curled into the side netting, just the wrong side of the post.

However, still Inside the opening 10 minutes, the Whites broke the deadlock. Much was owed to the work of Manor Solomon who tricked his way down the left and into the box. When free, he looked up and played a superb ball to the back-post for the inform Dan James to slot home!

Oxford looked to respond and had a good opportunity to do so. A quick counter attached released Przemyslaw Placheta into the box, but when well placed, he shot well over the bar with his left-footed effort.

The left-hand-side was proving to be a productive avenue for the Whites. Solomon linked up with Sam Byram this time and the full-back saw his cross deflected just wide. From the resulting corner, James found Brenden Aaronson, who struck well but narrowly over.

Leeds remained on top in the game and came close to doubling the lead, through James again. Another short option from a corner found the winger, he cut inside and curled left-footed at goal, but Jamie Cumming produced a good save to deny him this time.

Cumming was busy again shortly after. Aaronson worked to find a way into the box, he found Joel Piroe and the striker also went for goal on his left, only to see the visiting ‘keeper save once more.

No more goals arrived before the break, despite the best efforts of the home side, meaning the Whites went back to their dressing room with a one-goal advantage.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Oxford United

Back out for the second half and it was Oxford who had the first good chance. A free-kick from the right was swung in by Tyler Goodrham, he found the head of Ciaron Brown, but the defender missed the target when well placed.

Farke’s side were continuing to search for another goal and probing the Oxford defence, looking for their opening, and a big chance arrived and was taken in the 58th minute!

Good link-up play on the right between Jayden Bogle and Aaronson saw the pair exchange passes to work the chance, allowing the full-back to calmly fire home into the bottom corner for a second goal!

It wouldn’t be long before two became three and after turning provider for the second, Aaronson was the scorer for the third, after Solomon slipped him into the box and the American finished well on his right-foot, for his sixth of the campaign.

The goals were flowing at Elland Road and three then quickly became four. After two assists, Solomon grabbed himself a goal of his own this time, smashing home left-footed after being played through by Joel Piroe!

With just under 20 minutes to play, the first substitutes came from the home bench. Largie Ramazani, Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph all entered, replacing Solomon, Piroe and Aaronson.

With conditions worsening under the lights in West Yorkshire, torrential rain and strong winds were not enough to stop the Whites creating further chances. Ramazani found an opening and was only denied by another good stop from Cumming, before the ‘keeper then saved James again.

The full-time whistle sounded and confirmed a big three points for the home side before Christmas, keeping second spot in the league standings.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-0 Oxford United