Debutant Saiz shows he matters
SPANISH newcomer Samuel Saiz enjoyed a debut to remember, claiming a hat-trick within 62 minutes in Leeds’ 4-1 win over League Two Port Vale.
Former Leeds winger Michael Tonge had given the visitors hope when he equalised after 36 minutes.
Saiz had already opened the scoring after just 13 minutes of his first game since signing for £3 million from Spanish second division club Huesca.
He showed great composure after a Stuart Dallas cross struck the right-hand post and quickly netted the rebound from 15 yards.
Tonge was on hand to control Billy Reeves’ header and level on 36 minutes. But two goals in as many minutes just after the hour from midfielder Saiz settled the outcome.
First, he chased on to Ronaldo Vieira’s through ball to round substitute keeper Sam Hornby and roll the ball home, then Caleb Ekuban found Saiz in space and his fierce shot flew in.
Ekuban added the fourth after a strong attack and cross from sub Ezgjan Alioski.
Vale’s misery was complete in the dying minutes when defender Gavin Gunning was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Colchester defender Frankie Kent scored at both ends in the first half as his side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa.
Villa were already ahead through a Scott Hogan finish after United keeper Sam Walker lost the slippery ball under pressure from Andre Green, after seven minutes.
Kent deflected in a low Albert Adomah cross past Walker, then turned in a 30-yard effort from debutmaking Kyel Reid to pull one back for United in the 39th minute.
Villa keeper Jed Steer denied the U’s an equaliser when he saved from Mikael Mandron.
Ched Evans made a big impact on his first appearance in a Sheffield United shirt since April 2012 with two assists as the Blades came from behind to beat Walsall 3-2.
Evans whose 2012 conviction for rape was quashed in April 2016 and he was subsequently found not guilty last October following a retrial, returned to the club during the close season after a spell at Chesterfield.
He was introduced as a 52nd minute substitute for the injured James Hanson and 22 minutes later his fierce volley was palmed away by Walsall keeper Mark Gillespie into the path of Saddlers defender Kory Roberts for the equaliser.
Then Evans’ cross from the right was converted by Nathan Thomas on 79 minutes. Daniel Lafferty made it 3-1 three minutes later.
The Blades had trailed to a 13th minute strike by Amadou Bakayoko. Erhun Oztumer got one back for Walsall in the 90th minute from the spot.