Daniel Farke praised the quality of forward Georginio Rutter after he played a part in two goals in the 3-0 Championship victory over Watford at Elland Road.
Second-half goals from Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Jaidon Anthony sealed three points for Leeds as Rutter put in perhaps his best performance in a United shirt.
Piroe gave Leeds the lead midway through the second half as he volleyed home to finish off a fine move by Farke’s side.
Byram capped his return to the side as he headed in from a corner and Anthony’s late goal moved Leeds up to fifth in the table having seen off a Watford outfit who rarely threatened.
Farke said of Rutter: “I think we can be absolutely happy with him today, his work ethic. He is great in linking the play.
“He is still a relatively young lad, it’s important that we were concentrated on scoring the first goal.
“He had great assists, it was a top-class performance. He deserves all the praise today.”
Despite seeing his side score three goals, Farke claimed he was most pleased with keeping a clean sheet.
Farke explained: “It was an exciting game, especially the second half. That we were able to return to the dressing room with a clean sheet was pleasing.
“We created so many chances in the first half. In the second half we were able to turn our domination into goals.
“The focus was very pleasing for me and I am very pleased with the clean sheet.”
Leeds could not find a way past Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann until the 67th minute when Piroe volleyed in at the far post from a Dan James cross after Rutter’s strength on halfway had seen him release the winger down the right.
Leeds made it 2-0 within four minutes as the unmarked Byram got on the end of James’ corner to power a header past Bachmann.
When Watford did get into the Leeds area half-time substitute Vakoun Bayo steered his shot off target which said a lot about the lack of quality shown by Valerien Ismael’s side.
Substitute Anthony sealed the win as he was released by Rutter on halfway before steering his shot past Bachmann with a minute remaining.
Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier was finally called into action in stoppage time when he tipped over a rising shot from Giorgi Chakvetadze.
Ismael admitted Leeds had been better on the day and deserved to take three points.
He said: “Congratulations to Leeds, I think they deserved the win. They had more desire.
“We knew when you come here you have to be strong. Second half we changed the shape and I think we were more stable but when we conceded the first goal we knew after that it would be difficult.”
Ismael admitted his players had failed the make the home side work as hard as he would have liked.
He said: “From our side when you come here we know we have to make it harder. We lost the ball too easy, we did not have the confidence we have normally.
“We have to learn, to make sure we compete at that level and show that quality. We wanted to play well but in the first half they put us under massive pressure.
“They were better today, it was as simple as that. They didn’t make mistakes, they were clinical in the second half.”
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