Leeds United 3-0 Coventry City: FLW report as Willy Gnonto impresses in routine win | OneFootball

Report, ratings, reaction and more as Elland Road hosts Leeds United's clash with Coventry City.

Willy Gnonto inspired Leeds United to a 3-0 victory over Coventry City at Elland Road this afternoon, notching a goal and an assist in an impressive display.

Leeds led through Gnonto's first-half goal before turning the screw across the second-half with further strikes from Jayden Bogle and substitute Joel Piroe.

Leeds United 3-0 Coventry City

Leeds started the contest on the front-foot, but did not test Ben Wilson properly until Willy Gnonto's impressive 16th minute strike.

Following good work from Brenden Aaronson switching the ball across to Junior Firpo, the left-back's punched cross was converted emphatically by the Italy international, as his first-time finish rifled beyond Mark Robins' goalkeeper.

Wilson kept Coventry in the game heading into half-time, too, denying Mateo Joseph and Ilia Gruev in one passage of play - the latter's effort a long-range dipping volley.

Largie Ramazani tested Wilson from the edge of the penalty area and Joseph did the same - working the Coventry goalkeeper on his 100th Championship appearance.

The only mark against Daniel Farke's side was an injury to Ethan Ampadu, who hobbled out of the action midway through the first-half.

Leeds didn't make their dominance really count in the first-half, but doubled their lead swiftly after the break, as Jayden Bogle carried the ball forwards on the right, before trading passes with Ramazani, breaking into the box and finally beating Wilson.

Robins turned to his bench searching for a way back into the game, with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante introduced in one swoop. There was a lack of precision getting the ball into those final third players initially, with the only half-chance falling Leeds' way, as Aaronson dragged wide.

Joel Latibeaudiere headed tamely into Illan Meslier's arms on 75 minutes for the Sky Blues' first shot on target.

That failed to inspire any kind of late rally, as Ao Tanaka released Gnonto down the right, allowing the winger to add an assist to his goal, squaring for Joel Piroe to finish from close range.

Meslier - a passenger for 93 minutes - denied Thomas-Asante's strike from distance impressively to round-off a good afternoon for Farke's promotion-chasers.

Player ratings

Leeds United

Illan Meslier - 7

Jayden Bogle - 8

Joe Rodon - 7

Pascal Struijk - 8

Junior Firpo - 7

Ethan Ampadu - 6

Ilia Gruev - 7

Largie Ramazani - 7

Brenden Aaronson - 7

Willy Gnonto - 8

Mateo Joseph - 7

Subs

Karl Darlow - Not used

Joe Rothwell - n/a

Patrick Bamford - Not used

Joel Piroe - 6

Ao Tanaka - 8

Sam Byram - n/a

Isaac Schmidt - n/a

James Debayo - Not used

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Coventry City

Championship table

The win moves Leeds into fifth after seven games, whilst Coventry are hovering just outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Everyone in the division has played seven games, beyond Swansea City and Bristol City, who face-off tomorrow (Sunday).

Leeds United v Coventry City attendance

The attendance at Elland Road was 36,625.

Farke confirms Ampadu injury situation

Ethan Ampadu hobbled out of the game with a knee injury in the first-half, with Daniel Farke confirming further assessment was required despite his captain's optimism that the injury wasn't too bad.

"It's a knee injury and was definitely too painful for him to go on. Normally he tries everything to stay on the pitch," Farke told his press conference.

"He was quite positive after the game. He said it was painful, but he doesn't think it's too bad. I'm still a bit careful to be too optimistic right now.

"We have to wait for further assessment. I hope it's not too bad because we already have a few important players out, and we need him.

"He's one of my most important players, if not my most important as our captain. He always plays in the centre of the park, important for the whole vibe, the whole spirit, the whole mood and also to keep a good balance between defending and attacking.

"I hope it's not too bad, but we have to wait for the assessment in the next few days."

Robins pinpoints Ben Sheaf positive

Ben Sheaf was able to make his first Championship appearance of the season, with Mark Robins' captain completing an hour in the centre of midfield.

Coventry.

"It was a difficult game for him to come in to, but I've got to use him in games to get him ready," Robins told his press conference.