LUKE OF CHAMPIONS
Ayling puts Leeds on top
LUKE AYLING let his hair down – literally – to celebrate the latest goal in his scoring spree as Leeds regained top spot.
The right-back smashed home a venomous, third-minute volley to make it three goals in five games.
And striker Patrick Bamford ended his goal drought with his first in eight matches in the 51st minute as Leeds repeated the outcome of December’s clash between these West Yorkshire rivals.
It was also the first time in over 10 years that the Whites had registered five consecutive league wins without conceding. They leapfrogged West Brom to go a point clear and seven ahead of third-placed Fulham.
But boss Marcelo Bielsa said: “The most important thing is what happens when the competition gets near the finish.
“A few months ago we had an 11-point difference between us and third place – and we lost it.
“We have nine matches to get the points we need. There’s an anxiety until we get what we’re looking for, but it’s the same for every team.’’
Leeds suffered a pre-match blow when key midfielder Kalvin Phillips was ruled out with a knee injury that Bielsa insisted is “not serious’’.
Bielsa applauded his scorers, saying: “Ayling is a player who can go from box to box in a few seconds. And I’m happy for Bamford. Centreforwards need to score.”
Ayling met Jack Harrison’s leftwing cross with a right-foot strike that crashed in off the underside of the bar. But he was holding his head, flat out on the touchline, after 15 minutes when he took a blow from left-back Harry Toffolo’s boot.
Ayling’s frustration showed as he then picked up a yellow card for a late tackle on Fraizer Campbell.
Leeds keeper Illan Meslier was right behind Trevoh Chalobah’s close-range effort on 22 minutes as strugglers Huddersfield tried to muster a response.
But Leeds had further chances to extend their lead before the interval. First, Huddersfield winger Karlan Grant went down in the box, but referee Oliver Langford waved play on and Leeds broke, only for Helder Costa to knock the final ball beyond Bamford at the far post.
Keeper Jonas Lossl denied Bamford early in the second half, but the striker then cashed in.
Ben White, pushed up again from centre-back to deputise for Phillips, met Pablo Hernandez’s free-kick with a towering header that Lossl saved one-handed, but Bamford was there to bury the rebound.
Terriers boss Danny Cowley said: “You saw probably the best team in the league at the top of their game.”