Leeds United delivered an unforgettable performance, demolishing Cardiff City 7-0 at Elland Road, leaving the visitors reeling from an unstoppable attacking display. The hosts wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking the lead in the 13th minute. The goal came from a slick move, with Junior Firpo passing to Joel Piroe, who threaded a perfect through ball to Dan James. James outpaced Cardiff’s keeper Jak Alnwick but appeared to have overrun the ball. Undeterred, he calmly reversed direction, squaring the ball to Brenden Aaronson, who confidently finished past defenders on the line.
Leeds wasted no time doubling their advantage, with another quick-fire goal in the 15th minute. This time, Piroe’s pass set James up on the right, and James laid it off to Manor Solomon. Solomon made no mistake, finishing with a low shot across goal, similar to Aaronson’s earlier strike. Cardiff struggled to break down Leeds’ defense, with Anwar El Ghazi’s long-range attempt the only real effort on target, which was comfortably saved by Illan Meslier.
James was in the thick of the action, testing Cardiff’s defense with six shots in the first half alone. A deflected effort forced a fine save from Alnwick, while Piroe had a shot just wide and Solomon’s offside goal was ruled out. By halftime, Leeds had racked up 12 shots, with Cardiff managing only a single attempt, as the scoreline stood at 2-0.
The second half began with Cardiff attempting to show more attacking intent, but within five minutes, Leeds made it 3-0. Solomon, once again involved, laid the ball off to Firpo, whose low cross was finished by James at the far post. Cardiff did try to rally, with Alex Robertson’s well-struck effort saved brilliantly by Meslier, but Leeds showed no signs of letting up.
The goals kept coming. In the 65th minute, Leeds scored twice in quick succession. First, James was fouled in the box after following up on a shot from Piroe, earning Leeds a penalty. Piroe stepped up and coolly converted. Moments later, Willy Gnonto, who had just come on, added a fifth with a precise low finish from the edge of the box. Although Alnwick denied Gnonto a second with another excellent save, the visitors were unable to halt Leeds’ momentum.
With 12 minutes remaining, Pascal Struijk returned from injury to replace Tanaka, who was given a standing ovation for his superb performance. Leeds’ attack continued, with Largie Ramazani’s low shot being denied by a fine save from Alnwick. Just before full time, Mateo Joseph added a sixth, finishing off a first-time cross from Firpo.
As the match entered stoppage time, the Elland Road crowd chanted “we want seven,” and Leeds delivered. Firpo once again provided the assist, sending a ball through for Piroe, who calmly slotted home to complete the 7-0 rout. The match ended with Leeds in total control, securing a commanding victory.
Leeds United: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Solomon, Aaronson, Piroe. Subs: Darlow, Byram, Wober, Struijk, Gruev, Guilavogui, Ramazani, Gnonto, Joseph.
