Leeds United 3-0 Coventry City: Willy Gnonton scores in routine win for Daniel Farke's men

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Coventry City at Elland Road on Saturday;

Saturday 28 September 2024 18:15, UK

Jayden Bogle scored his first goal for Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds as they beat early-season strugglers Coventry 3-0 with a dominant display at Elland Road.

The summer signing from Sheffield United found the net four minutes into the second half after Willy Gnonto opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

Substitute Joel Piroe tapped in a late third for Daniel Farke's men, who could have won by a greater margin but this latest win keeps them riding high in the play-off places.

The only negative for Farke was the loss to injury of captain Ethan Ampadu in the 41st minute, while Coventry boss Mark Robins' problems deepened.

The Sky Blues have now won just once in seven Championship games so far this term after being outplayed at a sun-kissed Elland Road.

Leeds were unchanged from last week's 2-0 win at Cardiff with influential defender Pascal Struijk passed fit after shaking off a knock.

Robins made seven changes to his side as he looked for a response to the 2-1 home loss to Swansea seven days earlier.

Leeds made a bright start with Gnonto involved in two early penalty claims in quick succession.

Referee Gavin Ward was unmoved on both occasions but Leeds made the breakthrough in the 16th minute when Gnonto finished in style.

USA midfielder Brenden Aaronson collected possession in midfield and found Junior Firpo in space on the left flank.

The left-back delivered a low cross to Gnonto, who hit a powerful right-footed shot from 16 yards which flew high into the net past Ben Wilson.

Leeds went close to a second when Ilia Gruev tried his luck from distance with Wilson off his line after smothering a home attach before the Coventry goalkeeper recovered to make a vital save.

Leeds continued to create chances as Largie Ramazani saw a powerful shot from the edge of the box tipped over by Wilson.

Mateo Joseph then showed some neat footwork to find the space to fire an effort just over the crossbar from 18 yards.

In the 34th minute, Joseph fired a dangerous low cross across the face of the six-yard box with no Leeds player on hand to turn the ball home.

Four minutes later, Aaronson played in Ramazani who fired into the side netting as Coventry's goal continued to lead a charmed life.

Leeds then lost Ampadu to injury and he was replaced by Ao Tanaka before Gnonto fired just wide as half-time approached.

Yet the hosts doubled their advantage in the 49th minute when Bogle swapped passes with Ramazani inside the right channel and hit a shot which Wilson could not keep out.

Coventry offered little as an attacking force and Leeds added a third in the 79th minute when Gnonto broke down the right flank and crossed low for Piroe to fire home.

The managers

Leeds' Daniel Farke:

"It was a very good performance, a very mature performance, and we were excellent in the first half.

"Our pressing, our counter-pressing was spot on, we scored excellent team goal and created many chances.

"We could have buried them but it was important to stay on it.

"We took the foot off the gas a bit in possession and could have dominated the game a bit more.

"But I'm not too annoyed with many players out and the third goal was a really good counter-attacking goal.

"Their first chance came in the 93rd minute and thank God Illan Meslier was awake - it made me realise he was on the pitch."

On Ethan Ampadu's injury: "It's a knee injury and was definitely too painful for him to go on.

"Ethan was quite positive after the game but I'm still a bit careful to be too optimistic.

"We have already a few important players out. He's one of our most important players if not our most important player. He's our captain and important for a good vibe."

Coventry's Mark Robins:

"It was a disappointing afternoon. We couldn't get a foothold on the game and when we won the ball back, we gave it straight back to them.

"You then can't build any sort of rhythm or get into the game - and that was the biggest disappointment of the first half.

"Really we were trying to keep Leeds at bay and they have got good players with pace who can hurt you in spaces if you commit too early.

"There's a mentality of taking an easy option at the moment rather than the right option.

"At 3-0 down it's easier to start to play because there's less pressure on you, the game's gone. We took far too long to have an effort on their goal, it was really disappointing.

"Leeds is a different proposition than us. They've been in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago and then missed out last season.

"Leeds have sold over £100million worth of talent but replaced them with very good players. Leeds will be there or thereabout but there's a lot of good teams in this division."