A Rutterly brilliant display as Georgi is loving Farke life
DANIEL FARKE’S first home win, a fourth successive clean sheet and another Georginio Rutter masterclass in an excellent afternoon’s work for Leeds United.
The hosts rose to fifth, demolishing Watford which had them looking every inch promotion contenders.
Second-half goals from Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and home debutant Jaidon Anthony gave Farke a maiden home win after three previous draws.
Rutter had a miserable time last term after joining in January for a club-record £35.5million transfer fee, failing to net a single goal as his new team were relegated.
But he is a player reborn since Farke arrived and was the driving force in this win, his fine work helping to create the goals for Piroe and Anthony.
Farke said: “We can all be happy with Georgi – his work ethic is outstanding and he is great at linking play.
“He’s a relatively young lad but he had great assists – a top-class performance.
“He deserves the praise, but it’s important he does not enjoy himself too much. He must focus on pragmatic football and I criticised him a little at half-time.”
Leeds were dominant in the first half but were left frustrated by keeper Daniel Bachmann’s fine saves to deny Ethan Ampadu, Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.
But in the 67th minute, Leeds made the breakthrough as good work from Rutter found Dan James on the right flank.
He delivered a superb cross to Piroe, who volleyed home from inside the six-yard box at the far post.
Three minutes later, Byram connected superbly with James’ right-wing corner and planted a header past Bachmann.
It was his first since returning to Leeds in the summer, with his previous strike for the Whites coming at Forest in 2015.
There was still time for Anthony to break clear from Rutter’s superb pass and hit a curling right-foot shot into the far corner.
Watford boss Valerien Ismael admitted: “Leeds deserved the win. They had more desire.” LEEDS: Meslier 6; Shackleton 6 (Ayling (90) 6), Struijk 6, Cooper 6, Byram 7; Kamara 6 (Gruev (90) 6), Ampadu 7; James 8 (Poveda (84) 6), Piroe 7 (Gray (84) 6), Summerville 7 (Anthony (80) 7); Rutter 7 WATFORD: Bachmann 7; Andrews 6, Porteous 6, Hoedt 6, Lewis 6 (Chakvetadze (80) 6); Louza 6 (Asprilla (68) 6), Sierralta 6, Kone 6 (Kayembe (45) 6); Ince 5 (Dele-bashiru (45) 6), Rajovic 6, Martins 5 (Bayo (45) 6) STAR MAN: Dan James – The Wales winger was a constant menace and provided two assists. REF: Jeremy Simpson 6