Hat-trick is a treat for Bamford
PATRICK BAMFORD’S hattrick saw him create a little piece of history for Leeds as Aston Villa were denied top spot in the Premier League. Bamford’s second-half treble saw the striker become only the second player to score in each of Leeds’s opening three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38. Leeds enjoyed the better of the opening 25 minutes but Villa rode their luck and then had the best chance of the game so far. Ollie Watkins’ low cross from the right side of the penalty area eluded Trezeguet in the centre and found Jack Grealish at the far post. The Villa captain got a good contact with his left foot as he turned the ball goalwards but Luke Ayling was on the goal-line to make the clearance. Leeds survived a penalty scare late in the first half when Grealish went down under a challenge from Helder Costa just inside the area. Referee Paul Tierney waved away the appeals and his decision was supported by a VAR check. It was Leeds who went ahead after 55 minutes. Rodrigo’s effort was initially palmed away by Villa stopper Emiliano Martinez but Bamford was lurking to slot home the loose ball at the far post. Leeds doubled their lead shortly afterwards. It was Bamford again, curling a shot into the top corner from just outside the area with unerring accuracy. Bamford completed his hattrick after 74 minutes, showing good feet to work a yard of space inside the penalty area before curling the ball beyond Martinez.