How the national media reported Leeds United’s 2-0 win over Hull City
Leeds United continued their unbeaten start to the Championship with a deserved 2-0 win over Hull City at Elland Road with Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe on hand to move the Whites up to fourth in the table.
That’s two wins and two draws for the Whites in their opening four games, an impressive start to the campaign given the overhaul at Elland Road this summer. Daniel Farke’s side are among the early pace setters and are building a strong platform to kick on from heading into the September international break.
Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka made their Leeds United debuts in the win over Hull City but the national media have heaped praise on a certain Brenden Aaronson, who has made a positive start to the campaign.
Here’s what the national media had to say following the Whites’ second win of the campaign.
BBC Sport said: “Mateo Joseph’s first goal of the season set unbeaten Leeds United on the way to back-to-back Championship wins and consigned Hull City to a league defeat for the first time this season. Visiting keeper Ivor Pandur had been in inspired form to help City stay on level terms and retain hope of a fourth successive draw in the second tier.
“Growing pressure from Daniel Farke’s Leeds side was finally rewarded just after the hour when Joseph poked the ball home at the near post after great approach play from Manor Solomon. Hull responded impressively and forced Leeds keeper Ilian Meslier into a couple of decent saves.
“But Joseph and Junior Firpo combined brilliantly to tee up Joel Piroe, who fired the ball home to double the lead in the final 10 minutes. Leeds were worthy winners, playing with confidence, urgency and quality on the back of their fine victory over Sheffield Wednesday last week. They dominated early on, although their only attempt on target was a 20-yard Ilia Gruev effort that was well saved by Pandur after some good work from Brenden Aaronson
“Jayden Bogle spurned a great opportunity, selfishly electing to shoot from a tight angle, and Pascal Struijk and Gruev also both missed the target when well placed. Hull settled and Chris Bedia’s left-footed strike forced a good save from Meslier, while Liam MIllar shot over.
“But Leeds were still the more likely to break the deadlock, which they did when Solomon played a ball to the near post for Joseph to find the net, much to the delight of a deafening and relieved home support. And Piroe settled the match to ensure successive 2-0 Championship wins.”
Brenden Aaronson Farke’s answer in the number 10?
Nancy Froston of The Athletic said: “After two successive games getting the nod ahead of Joel Piroe in the starting line-up, Aaronson looks like he has won Farke’s favour for the No 10 role moving forward. While there were hopes that Leeds would bring in another player to compete in that area on deadline day, they were unable to complete deals for Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer or Freiburg’s Roland Sallai.
“Aaronson’s return after spending last season on loan is almost like Leeds having a new signing and the USMNT international has grown into things since coming back into the fold from his loan spell at Union Berlin last year. A goal against Sheffield Wednesday and another positive performance against Hull have helped his case as he seeks redemption — but Farke sees both the American and his nearest rival in the position Piroe as different players to fulfil different jobs.
“With Piroe scoring the second of the game, albeit while playing as striker once Joseph had been substituted, the choice is between a player operating as a 9.5 (a deep-lying striker) or a 10.5 (an attacking midfielder who can play out wide) for Farke. Aaronson looks to be winning that battle, although Farke hinted that he would have welcomed a signing in that area.
“Once an opponent is sitting deeper and parks the bus, you need this creative player and it’s never easy when you don’t have the traditional No 10,” he said. “We have Brenden Aaronson who is a specialist in this position. We have other players and other options who can play there, like Joel Piroe, who is more of a finisher from this position. Perhaps one of our wingers can also play in this position.
“If we need to be more compact ,we have Joe Rothwell who can play in this position. We do not have a traditional Diego Maradona No 10 in the squad but if you don’t have it, you have to work with other tools.”
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