Leeds United Player Ratings: Bogle and Tanaka Impress in Underwhelming QPR Win

Leeds United secured a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon, with Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe scoring the goals to maintain their push for promotion. While the result was important, it was not without its frustrations, as the team struggled to create fluid attacking play. Here’s how each Leeds player performed in the match:

Illan Meslier – 7

Made a couple of key saves to keep Leeds ahead, especially in the second half. His distribution was solid, though not overly tested in this game.

Luke Ayling – 6

Did well defensively but struggled to link up effectively with the attack. Some solid clearances, but his final ball was inconsistent.

Pascal Struijk – 6

A steady presence at the back but wasn’t called upon too much. Looked composed on the ball but lacked a bit of dynamism.

Jarrad Branthwaite – 6

Had a comfortable afternoon, mostly clearing away danger. Was strong in aerial duels, although occasionally looked out of sync with his teammates.

Jayden Bogle – 8

A standout performer, scoring the opening goal with a well-taken strike and contributing to the attack throughout the match. His pace and work rate were key to Leeds’ width on the right.

Leif Davis – 6

Did his job defensively but didn’t provide as much attacking support as Bogle did on the opposite wing. His crosses lacked accuracy at times.

Darko Gyabi – 5

Wasn’t as influential in midfield as Leeds would have hoped. Struggled to dominate the midfield and make key passes, though he worked hard.

Joel Piroe – 7

Scored a crucial second goal to seal the win for Leeds. Showed his usual quality in the box and held up the ball well, but his overall involvement was limited.

Crysencio Summerville – 5

Looked lively at times but struggled to make a real impact in the final third. His dribbling was too predictable, and his crossing often went astray.

Wilfried Gnonto – 6

Had some bright moments but was largely isolated in attack. Couldn’t get the better of his markers consistently and lacked the finishing touch.

Patrick Bamford – 5

Did not have much of an impact up front. Played a quiet role, failing to get involved in the build-up play or create any significant chances.Substitutes:

Matheus Klauss – 6

Came on late in the game and provided fresh energy to help see out the win, although he didn’t have much time to make a significant impact.

Sam Greenwood – 5

Had limited involvement after coming on, providing some energy but not enough to change the rhythm of the game.

Overall, Leeds managed to take the three points but will need to improve on their overall performance, especially in creating more chances and asserting themselves in the attacking third. Bogle and Piroe were the shining lights, but it wasn’t a convincing performance.

Leeds United returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road, but it was far from a flawless performance. While the opposition was limited, the Whites eventually secured the three points thanks to a Jayden Bogle strike and a late Joel Piroe goal.

The first half unfolded as expected, with Leeds taking control early on. They dominated possession and had the lion’s share of chances, but despite their superiority, they were unable to capitalize fully on their opportunities. Bogle scored the opening goal from close range, putting Leeds 1-0 up at halftime. The Whites would have liked a larger lead given their dominance, but they made do with the advantage they had.

In the second half, Leeds continued to push forward, but their attacking play lacked the sharpness and fluidity needed to put the game to bed early. QPR, despite their generally poor performance, were allowed more openings and looked to threaten on the counterattack. Leeds’ defense remained solid for the most part, but they were put under more pressure than they’d have liked.

It wasn’t until the final stages of the match that Piroe sealed the victory, adding a late second goal to ensure the points stayed at Elland Road. Though it wasn’t a dazzling display, Leeds got the job done, and the win will be important for their confidence as they continue to chase promotion.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1)

1. Illan Meslier

Rating: 6

Meslier had little to do throughout the game as QPR rarely threatened. However, he did look a bit stranded on the few occasions they did get an effort near goal. Solid when called upon, but not really tested.

2. Jayden Bogle

Rating: 8

Bogle had a lively performance, scoring the opening goal in scrappy fashion, but it was a result of his constant threat in and around the box. He made numerous forward runs, causing QPR problems all afternoon. His delivery was generally good, though the attackers weren’t always in the right places to take advantage.

6. Joe Rodon

Rating: 7Rodon had a strong, no-nonsense performance. He battled well against QPR’s Zan Celar, showing composure and authority at the back. His defensive work was consistent, and he didn’t let the striker get the better of him.

5. Pascal Struijk (c)

Rating:7

As captain for the day, Struijk put in a steady shift at the heart of the defense. He was strong in the air, composed on the ball, and helped maintain a solid backline despite the occasional QPR pressure. He led by example, keeping things organized at the back.

25. Sam ByramRating: 7Byram made an effort to push forward as much as Bogle, though he was caught offside on a few occasions. He came close to an assist or goal in the first half but was unable to convert. Defensively, he wasn’t troubled by QPR’s attack and maintained a solid presence.

22. Ao Tanaka

Rating: 8

Tanaka was once again a calming presence in midfield. He displayed great composure and an excellent ability to move the ball quickly. While he was occasionally careless by his standards, he largely ran the game with ease. He almost produced a beautiful assist for Byram and had a couple of shots from distance that tested the goalkeeper.

8. Joe Rothwell

Rating: 6

Rothwell delivered a mix of decent and poor set-pieces throughout the match, with some failing to create the necessary openings for Leeds. His passing wasn’t as sharp as usual, and although he put in an energetic performance, he was unable to make a major impact on the game.