Daniel Farke praised the “maturity” of his Leeds side after they thumped early-season strugglers Coventry 3-0 with a dominant display at Elland Road.
Right-back Jayden Bogle, a summer signing from Sheffield United, found the net four minutes into the second half to claim his first goal for the Whites after swapping passes with Largie Ramazani.
That came after Willy Gnonto opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a superb shot from Junior Firpo’s cross, while substitute Joel Piroe tapped in a late third for Farke’s men on the counter-attack from Gnonto’s cut-back.
Leeds could have won by a greater margin but this latest win keeps them riding high in the play-off places and Farke said: “It was a very good performance, a very mature performance, and we were excellent in the first half.
“Our pressing, our counter-pressing was spot on, we scored excellent team goal and created many chances.
“We could have buried them but it was important to stay on it.
“We took the foot off the gas a bit in possession and could have dominated the game a bit more.
“But I’m not too annoyed with many players out and the third goal was a really good counter-attacking goal.
“Their first chance came in the 93rd minute and thank God Illan Meslier was awake – it made me realise he was on the pitch.”
The only negative for Farke was the loss to injury of captain Ethan Ampadu in the 41st minute.
Leeds’ German boss added: “It’s a knee injury and was definitely too painful for him to go on.
“Ethan was quite positive after the game but I’m still a bit careful to be too optimistic.
“We have already a few important players out. He’s one of our most important players if not our most important player. He’s our captain and important for a good vibe.”
Meanwhile, Coventry boss Mark Robins’ problems deepened.
The Sky Blues have now won just once in seven Championship games so far this term after being outplayed at a sun-kissed Elland Road.
Robins, whose side ended last term badly to miss out on the 2023/24 play-offs, said: “It was a disappointing afternoon.
“We couldn’t get a foothold on the game and when we won the ball back, we gave it straight back to them.
“You then can’t build any sort of rhythm or get into the game – and that was the biggest disappointment of the first half.
“Really we were trying to keep Leeds at bay and they have got good players with pace who can hurt you in spaces if you commit too early.”
Robins admitted his men struggled badly to match a Leeds side who are gunning for promotion this season.
He added: “There’s a mentality of taking an easy option at the moment rather than the right option.
“At 3-0 down it’s easier to start to play because there’s less pressure on you, the game’s gone. We took far too long to have an effort on their goal, it was really disappointing.
“Leeds is a different proposition than us. They’ve been in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago and then missed out last season.
“Leeds have sold over £100million worth of talent but replaced them with very good players. Leeds will be there or thereabout but there’s a lot of good teams in this division.”
