Leeds choke the life out of you, no wonder they have a stranglehold on Championship says Town star Toffolo

Ayling

Bamford

LEEDS are stifling the life out of their opponents as they go marching on towards a Premier League return.

That was Huddersfield left-back Harry Toffolo’s verdict on Marcelo Bielsa’s side after they recorded a fifth straight win and clean sheet to reclaim the Championship leadership from West Brom.

Luke Ayling’s spectacular third-minute volley, his third goal in five games, and Patrick Bamford’s first strike in eight matches were enough to overcome the lowly Terriers in this West Yorkshire derby.

Bielsa and his men are winning plaudits again – Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley hailed the Argentinian coach “a genius” – after their mid-season wobble. It is 16 years since Leeds were among the top-flight elite but the signs are the long wait to rejoin them should soon be over. And Toffolo, who Cowley brought from former club Lincoln in January, admitted Leeds’s intense approach is oppressive.

The 24-year-old (below) said: “It was the most suffocating a team has been against us and that’s why they are up there. It’s a fair reflection of the league. They deserve to be up there and have an exceptional manager. “Sometimes you have to hold your hands up. Unfortunately, it’s to Leeds and Huddersfield fans won’t want to do that. As players, we don’t either, but they’re an exceptional side. The movement of the players was the best I’ve come across in the league so far.” Right-back Ayling (right, celebrating with Tyler Roberts) is being rewarded for his adventurous runs forward but left-back Stuart Dallas revealed that his latest strike was no fluke. The Northern Ireland international said: “He doesn’t usually strike them like that but, I have got to give it to him, he did one exactly the same in training on Friday.

“It was great technique and a great start for us.”

Striker Bamford’s 13th goal this term ended his lean spell and Dallas said: “I was delighted for him. He has come in for a lot of criticism recently, but he’s massive for us and hopefully that goal will do him the world of good.”

He added: “We have nine massive games to go and we know what’s at stake. I’d be lying if I said we’re not in a good position, but we have to keep focused on what’s ahead.”

Huddersfield host resurgent relegation rivals Wigan on Saturday, and Toffolo said: “It’s the game of the season for us. It’s huge.”