Leeds United secured their second consecutive win with a 2-1 triumph over Watford on Tuesday night at Elland Road. A standout in the victory was Ao Tanaka, whose performance earned him high praise from manager Daniel Farke, who likened him to none other than James Bond for his calm, composed style on the pitch. Tanaka’s skillful display played a key role in securing the crucial three points.

The Whites exploded out of the gates against Watford, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Largie Ramazani opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the fourth minute, followed swiftly by Brenden Aaronson’s strike in the seventh, giving Leeds a commanding early lead.

Watford managed to cut the deficit with an early second-half goal, but Leeds United held firm to secure a 2-1 victory and claim all three points. The win pushes the Yorkshire side into second place, and if both Burnley and Sheffield United falter on Wednesday night, Leeds will maintain their spot in the standings.

Ao Tanaka was a key figure for Leeds United, playing the full 90 minutes and delivering an outstanding performance. He recorded 77 touches, made one key pass, and completed 57 of 61 passes with an impressive 83% accuracy. The Japan international also dominated defensively, winning nine of 11 ground duels and registering six tackles, according to SofaScore. His all-around contributions were crucial to Leeds’ victory over Watford.

“He’s James Bond, so it was unbelievable,” Daniel Farke told the media after Leeds’ 2-1 win over Watford. “I think he saved the world today. His performance was outstanding—his calmness on the ball, but also his grit. Even with the yellow cards in play, he was exceptional in the crucial and decisive duels.

“He definitely wasn’t the villain today. Today, he was James Bond for us. I’m really happy with him, and if he keeps delivering performances like this, we’re in for something special.”

Leeds United will aim for their third consecutive win as they head to Ashton Gate Stadium to take on Bristol City FC, who sit ninth in the Championship table. The Robins are coming off a 2-2 draw against Stoke City, so after two impressive home victories, Farke and his squad will need to carry this momentum into the away match. With the race for the top spot heating up, maintaining their strong form on the road will be crucial for Leeds in this tightly contested league.