“Forget Joe Piroe”, Leeds United player ratings vs Stoke City as Joel Piroe steals the headlines but 10/10 star sensational
Leeds United Crush Stoke 6-0 to Move Within Reach of Premier League Return
Well, who saw that coming? Leeds United are now just one step away from securing a return to the Premier League after a sensational 6-0 demolition of Stoke City on Easter Monday.
It was a huge occasion at Elland Road, but the Whites showed no signs of nerves and thrived under the pressure. From the first whistle, they looked ready to deliver—and they did just that.
Joel Piroe opened the floodgates with two quick goals inside the first eight minutes. By the 20th minute, he had completed his hat-trick, all but putting the game to bed. Leeds didn’t let up, though. Junior Firpo bundled in a fourth before Piroe struck again to make it five before halftime.
The second half was a bit quieter on the scoring front, but Willy Gnonto capped off the rout with a rare headed goal.
Now, promotion is within touching distance. If Sheffield United lose to Burnley on Saturday evening, Leeds will officially secure their return to the top flight.
Player Ratings from a Dominant Performance
Karl Darlow – 8
Barely had anything to do, but provided a calm, reliable presence at the back.
Jayden Bogle – 10
Outstanding. Covered every blade of grass on the right side. His pressing and passing created multiple goals, and he played a crucial role in both attack and defense. Truly immense.
Joe Rodon – 9
Solid as ever. Aside from one minor slip, he completely shut Stoke down and looked composed on the ball.
Ethan Ampadu – 8
Booked for an unnecessary challenge, but otherwise led confidently from the back, helping start attacks with his passing.
Junior Firpo – 9
Scored one and was a consistent attacking outlet on the left. His link-up play and movement caused constant problems for Stoke.
Ao Tanaka – 8
Looked sharp and composed in midfield. A return to form after recent struggles, completely dominated the center of the park.
Ilia Gruev – 8
Another excellent showing. His pressing and smart positioning helped Leeds control the tempo and break up any potential counters.
Willy Gnonto – 9
Back to his best. A nightmare for defenders on the right wing, contributed to two goals and added one himself with a rare header.
Brenden Aaronson – 7.5
Full of energy and effort. Lacked a clinical edge but played a key role in pressing and maintaining Leeds’ high tempo.
Manor Solomon – 9
Quietly effective. Assisted the opening goal and delivered a pinpoint cross for the sixth. Some dazzling dribbles and clever passes rounded out a strong performance.
Joel Piroe – 10
Finally found his scoring touch—and in style. Four goals, including a first-half hat-trick, showed exactly why he’s among the league’s top scorers. A complete striker’s performance.
Substitutes:
Patrick Bamford – 6
Limited involvement.
Largie Ramazani – 6
Barely touched the ball.
Isaac Schmidt – 7
Worked hard on the wing and created pressure, though he missed a scoring chance.
Sam Byram – 7
Reliable and composed in defense during his cameo.
Harry Gray – 6
Made his senior debut at 16. A proud moment for the Gray family, and the youngster handled the spotlight with a smile and composure.
