Cardiff City were “absolutely petrified” of what Leeds United star was doing today – LUTV pundit

Mateo Joseph led the way for Leeds United with plenty of all-round quality as he bagged his third assist to set up Largie Ramazani for the opener against Cardiff City.

   The trip to Cardiff City presented a great opportunity for Leeds to get back to winning ways after losing their first league game against Burnley a week ago.

   With the Bluebirds stuck with one point and one goal since the start of the season this season, Leeds had a chance to assert their dominance.

   Largie Ramazani opens his Leeds account with the help of the clever Mateo Joseph


   A red card helped Leeds open the game against the Bluebirds, Joel Bagan was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity and Willy Gnonto tripped outside the box.

   Leeds made their advantage count shortly after when Largie Ramazani drove and swung a left-footed effort at the near post, followed by an emphatic wheelie and backflip celebration:

   It was Mateo Joseph who set up the goal, dropping deep to win a loose ball against Cardiff’s centre-backs and darting through the gap into the path of the Leeds debutant.

   Substitute Joel Piroe put an end to a rather dull second half with a superb counter-attacking finish in front of the away fans.

   The LUTV panel were again impressed with Joseph’s performance as he ‘led the line’ for Leeds against Cardiff.

   He dropped deep in the opener and stretched his lines to create openings for his teammates behind him, and his efforts impressed former Leeds striker Michael Bridges as Hew spoke at half-time:

   “There’s nothing better, let’s say me and Stu (Dallas) play as two attacking midfielders behind a forward who leads the line.

   “When you run like that and the opposition have to follow you, it creates space for us to get to the ball – the three Cardiff defenders are completely petrified by Joseph’s pace and they run in behind.

   “So then he dictates the play in the middle to give us an advantage. Maybe he didn’t see a lot of the ball, he played some in the goal. He runs the line so well.”


   Even at 11 v 11, it was a mismatch of play and Leeds struggled to show the urgency of consistently breaking teams down when they boast the majority of possession.

   It wasn’t a complete problem for Leeds in this game with plenty of chances to play more comfortably, but it is something to be very concerned about.

   This Cardiff side should have been out at half-time and beaten at the full-time signal, but second-half survival is not a good quality to carry on from that Burnley defeat – even with Joel Piroe’s merciless send-off.

   Joseph’s performance, especially in the first half, was exemplary and just what was needed to stretch this side.