OPINION
Leeds United saw their lead at the top of the Championship slashed as they were comprehensively beaten by rivals Norwich City 3-0 at Elland Road on Saturday.
The Canaries scored two first half goals to take an iron grip on the tie before scoring a third to seal the three points and ensure that their victory was secure.
Patrick Bamford netted on the brink of added time after coming from the bench but it was very much a consolation for Marcelo Bielsa and his men.
So who shone and who sunk at Elland Road on Saturday?
This is Futbol has rated and slated the Leeds players in the clash against the Canaries:
Goalkeeper and Defence
Casilla: 5 – Not a thing the new arrival could have done about the opener, which was a peach of a free kick. Not a lot to be done about the second either as his defence let him down, and an unlucky deflection saw him look silly for the third.
Ayling: 3 – A real shocker from the right back who may only be surviving in the first team due to a lack of options. He will not be given many more chances after these kind of displays.
Jansson: 3 – It was the Swede’s silly foul which lead to the opener and he struggled to impress much for the rest of the game. A real poor performance from one of Leeds’ top stars.
Cooper: 5 – Maybe the only defender who can come away with any pride. Put in some great tackles to keep the visitors at bay, but still found himself beaten far too easily at times.
Alioski: 4 – Returning to his left wing back role the Macedonian was able to cause a constant threat to the Canaries from out wide. Moved further up the pitch as Barry Douglas took his left back role at half time. Failed to impress defensively and had Bielsa turning his back on the game.
Midfield
Forshaw: 4 – Could perhaps have done more to prevent the opener as he turned away from the free kick. Found himself chasing shadows in the middle at times.
Klich: 5 – The Polish star was perhaps a little over-excited at times in the first half with a number of long range efforts which were mostly off target.
Hernandez: 4 – A really disappointing display from the Spaniard, who was only handed 45 minutes by Bielsa. Tried to get things moving in attack but struggled to get on the same wavelength as his teammates.
Attack
Harrison: 3 – The quietest of the front three, the loanee found chances to shine at a premium for the opening 45 minutes. Hooked at half time and understandably so after an anonymous outing.
Roberts: 6 – Operating in a wide role the former West Brom man was a lively option in attack, finding himself in good positions on a regular basis. His hard work stood out among a lack of effort elsewhere and was the first of two shining lights.
Roofe: 5 – Not his finest performance up top, with clear cut opportunities lacking. Was left snatching at what did come his way and found himself stopped by a resolute Norwich defence.
Substitutes
Douglas (45 mins) 4 – Brought from Wolves to act as a specialist left back with a threat from out wide but he offered neither defensive nor attacking quality. A real disappointment from the bench.
Clarke (45 mins) 6 – Leeds’ young gun showed why he is so highly rated with another exciting performance from the bench. Actually made things happen on a lacklustre day for Leeds as the second of two bright spots for the Whites.
Bamford (63 mins) 5 – Brought on to try and change something up front but aside from a handful of times in possession his half an hour on the pitch was mostly forgettable. Did find the back of the net with a good header but little else to celebrate.