BRISTOL CITY 0
THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN reckons his Leeds side proved they are ready to battle it out for promotion by bouncing back at Bristol City.
Samuel Saiz struck twice in 10 minutes to kickstart Leeds’ push and end the Robins’ 11-match unbeaten run.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga gift-wrapped their first win in four matches in a game that saw five yellow cards plus two straight reds in the last 40 minutes.
Christiansen said: “I’m very happy with the performance of the team and for the three points.
“It was the same team that had problems before, and the team that will bring us back to form – the difference was the intensity.
“Being brave is one of the things we had to do. We had to believe in ourselves.
“Sometimes we think too much about the opponent but today we fought.”
Leeds caught Robins defender Aden Flint napping to go 1-0 up after only four minutes. Kalvin Phillips got his boot to a clearance to steer the ball to Lasogga, who linked with Saiz.
The Spaniard, 26, cut inside and sent the ball past goalkeeper Frank Fielding via a deflection off City skipper Bailey Wright.
Saiz got his second 10 minutes later to put Leeds in cruise control.
Eunan O’Kane’s defence-splitting ball looked to have been snuffed out by Fielding, but he could only fumble it into the path of Saiz, who could not miss from close range.
Saiz should have had his hat-trick to wrap up the three points when he was teed up by Ronaldo Vieira, and toe-poked wide. But it did not take long for Leeds to make sure of victory.
Lasogga darted to the near post and glanced Phillips’ corner into the net to end their three-game losing streak.
There was still time for referee Oliver Langford to dish out a pair of red cards with 10 minutes remaining as Matty Taylor reacted angrily to Gaetano Berardi’s challenge.
The former Bristol Rover leapt to his feet and was met by a head-butt from the Italian. Both were sent for early baths. Possession 59% 41% Shots On Target 2 5 Shots Off Target 7 6 Blocked Shots 3 2 Corners 6 3 Fouls Conceded 11 14 Offsides 1 4 Yellow Cards 3 3 Red Cards 1 1