For Patrick Bamford, Monday night will have felt good after starring for Leeds and scoring against his old side in their own back yard – with Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood watching on from the stands.
The 30-year-old scored his ninth goal of the season, all of which have come in the second half of the season since the turn of the year – converting a brilliant cross from Junior Firpo. Billy Sharp praised Firpo.
Bamford was excellent in terms of his work rate. The one-time England star was reinstated to the starting line-up after being dropped for the clash against Blackburn – but Joel Piroe failed to take his opportunity.
A key cog in Crysencio Summerville’s second and Leeds’ fourth goal, too. Bamford was everywhere and if Summerville had not starred, Leeds’ no.9 might have been in line for the man of the match award.
Patrick Bamford blasted as “nasty” for moment in first half
But not everything Bamford did turned to gold. Jon Newsome said he could have held the ball up better, and while he did a good job of protecting the ball – he was dispossessed on a number of occasions.
Just before half time, Bamford was defending on the edge of his own box and was shown Leeds’ only yellow card of the whole encounter – for a tackle on Boro’s impressive January addition Finn Azaz.
Speaking toBBC Tees as co-commentator, ex-Boro man Neil Maddison said Bamford’s tackle was “nasty”: “I don’t think he knew much about it but it looked nasty from Bamford. Azaz seems okay thankfully.
Bamford must end his QPR curse when Leeds go to Loftus Road
Having scored and Piroe’s performances worryingly dropping off since Bamford came into the mix, the former Chelsea man will surely get the nod to start at QPR on Friday – if, he came through unscathed.
Having done media for Sky Sports and LUTV after the match, it doesn’t look as if he was nursing any knocks. So, Bamford should start. If he does, manager Daniel Farke will need him to lift his QPR curse.
In seven career appearances against QPR, Bamford has won four and lost three. But remarkably, given QPR’s standing in the Championship, he has never scored or created a single goal against them.
Leeds need that to change on Friday night when the Whites go to the Capital to take on a QPR side that have improved under the guidance of Marti Cifuentes. Last time out, they beat Preston 1-0 at home.