OUTCLASSED
Bielsa’s boys spank Neville and Co
LEEDS’ Class of ’19 turned on the style in front of Salford City’s famous coowners to snuff out their hopes of an upset.
Four of Salford’s Class of ’92 part owners – Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville – were in the capacity crowd at the Peninsula Stadium to see Marcelo Bielsa’s slick side teach them a lesson.
Leeds settled the tie with a threegoal burst in 15 minutes either side of half-time with on-loan Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah opening the scoring on his debut before skipper Gaetano Berardi and Mateusz Klich netted.
Salford fought hard in their first Carabao Cup tie and Berardi cleared off the line to deny them a late goal.
The watching Sir Alex Ferguson, Denis Law and England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd would have been impressed by their commitment.
Richie Towell had a shot deflected wide before crossing for Jake Beesley, son of former Leeds defender Paul, to hit a shot which was saved by Kiko Casilla.
Leeds, who made seven changes, took control and a cross from Ezgjan Alioski was deflected onto a post before the outstanding Kalvin Phillips unleashed a shot which was touched over by Chris Neal.
He then made an even better stop to keep out Jack Clarke’s deflected dipping effort. Leeds were getting closer and made the breakthrough in the 43rd minute when Nketiah crowned a slick passing move to convert Helder Costa’s precise pass from close range.
Nketiah enjoys the League Cup – he came off the bench to score his first two Arsenal goals in the competition against Norwich in October 2017.
Leeds doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half when Beesley switched off at the near post from Costa’s corner and Berardi tucked the ball home.
Salford kept fighting and Danny Whitehead forced two saves in quick succession from the erratic Casilla.
But Leeds were too good and sealed victory in the 58th minute when Klich scored a superb individual goal on the break.