- Leeds returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 victory over Birmingham
- Goals from Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Cysencio Summerville were enough
- Mail Sport’s Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel gives the transfer latest on Ivan Toney, Conor Gallagher and more on It’s All Kicking Off
Wayne Rooney came under increased scrutiny after Birmingham slumped to their ninth defeat in 15 games since he took charge, as Leeds bounced back after successive away losses.
First-half goals from Patrick Bamford and Dan James laid the platform for a comfortable victory for Daniel Farke’s men, a welcome antidote to post-Christmas defeats at Preston and West Brom.
Crysencio Summerville added a third in the second half as the home crowd taunted Rooney with chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’.
Farke made five changes from Friday’s 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns with Bamford justifying his first start of the season with a superb display.
Rookie goalkeeper Kris Klaesson made his first appearance of the campaign with Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow missing through suspension and injury respectively.
Leeds returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 win against Birmingham at Elland Road
Patrick Bamford opened the scoring to net what was his first goal of the 2023-24 campaign
Dan James’ deflected effort made it two in first added time to put Leeds in control of the clash
But it was another damaging result for Rooney as he battles desperately to save his job and keep the Blues away from the Championship’s relegation zone.
As a legend at Leeds’ most hated rivals Manchester United, Rooney was predictably given a rough ride from the Elland Road crowd.
Initially the home support was rather subdued, perhaps still nursing their hangovers from the night before, and Rooney was greeted with a warm embrace from Leeds counterpart Farke.
Farke’s players did little to raise the temperature during the opening quarter of the match.
They showed flashes, with Summerville driving at the heart of Birmingham’s defence at pace before slipping a neat pass to Bamford inside the 18-yard box.
Bamford hit a left-foot shot which drew a fine block from Blues captain Dion Sanderson but Leeds lost full-back Sam Byram to injury in the 18th minute.
He departed with a knock and was replaced by Junior Firpo as genuine goalscoring opportunities remained scarce.
Midway through the first half, Siriki Dembele broke clear inside the right channel and had a clear run on goal, only for a heavy touch to allow Leeds defender Joe Rodon to clear the danger.
It was a warning for the hosts but Leeds finally made the breakthrough in the 34th minute when James crossed dangerously from the right flank and Bamford rose to head home at the far post.
It was his first goal of the season and from there Leeds began to motor, with their second arriving on the stroke of half-time.
Crysencio Summerville added a third in the second half to help Leeds return to winning ways
The defeat heaps the pressure on Wayne Rooney, who has lost nine of his 15 matches in charge of Birmingham
Firpo crossed from the left flank and James’ deflected shot flew into the net past John Ruddy.
Birmingham had their best chance of the first half moments before the interval as Dembele created the space to fire straight at Klaesson.
After the break, Bamford hit the post with a superb 20-yard strike but Leeds’ third arrived in the 67th minute when Firpo showed intelligence to pick out Summerville from the left flank.
The Dutchman steadied himself before drilling home a low right-foot shot into the net as Leeds ran out comfortable victors, with Ruddy tipping over Ethan Ampadu’s powerful shot in added time.
