Leeds could well have found the razor-sharp forward line to propel them back to the Premier League.
A gloomy opening to their Championship campaign gave way to rays of optimism here as all their attackers made hay.
It helps, of course, when you can spend £10million to sign Joel Piroe, a proven striker at this standard after 41 goals in 91 matches for Swansea. He helped himself to a debut goal.
But Daniel Farke deserves credit for giving Wilfried Gnonto a second chance after his tantrum following relegation, while Luis Sinisterra, also back in the fold, and Georginio Rutter were both excellent. All three scored.
Having fallen behind to Joe Rodon’s early own goal, the way Leeds blew Ipswich away with three strikes in nine first-half minutes offered a tantalising glimpse of what might be to come if Farke can keep this front four together. Their defence still needs a fair amount of work though.
Wilfried Gnonto inspires Daniel Farke’s side to their first win of the season against Ipswich
Luis Sinisterra scored Leeds’ fourth to secure all three points for Daniel Farke’s side
Kieran McKenna’s side fought hard and gave themselves hope with Nathan Broadhead’s goal on the cusp of half-time and Conor Chaplin’s late third – but ultimately the class up front for Leeds told as they picked up their first league win of the season.
It brought Ipswich’s impressive unbeaten run to a halt at 21 games and knocked them off the top of the table, but they will have many easier assignments than this.
Farke had no reservations about throwing Piroe straight into his starting XI despite his transfer from Swansea only going through on Thursday night.
The Dutchman spearheaded an exciting-looking Leeds front line with Gnonto, Rutter and Sinisterra playing off him – and so it proved.
But not before Leeds decided to shoot themselves in the foot defensively. Ipswich striker Kayden Jackson broke into their box and drilled in a firm low ball that Rodon, losing all bearings, diverted beyond his keeper Ilian Meslier.
Luke Ayling and Ethan Ampadu led vociferous Leeds protests about an offside in the build-up but the blue sea of Portman Road was long since celebrating the perfect start.
The early Championship pace-setters almost claimed a second when Wes Burns breached Leeds lines for the first of several occasions, his shot blocked by Sam Byram’s slide tackle.
But that new-look Leeds frontline clicked all of a sudden and the result was three goals in an electric spell.
Conor Chaplin scored Ipswich’s third late on in the game to make it a nervy finish
Defeat against Leeds was Ipswich’s first loss in their first season back in the Championship
Rutter supplied the equaliser, showing neat feet inside the Ipswich box before sliding the ball home off the inside of the far post.
The Gnonto redemption was complete when he put Leeds ahead four minutes later, the young Italian left with a straightforward tap-in after Byram’s left-side cross wasn’t dealt with.
And better was to follow when Piroe claimed a debut goal after Ipswich keeper Vaclav Hladky failed to hold onto Sinisterra’s curling shot and the ball fell perfectly into his path.
It was a passage of vibrant football seldom seen by Leeds in recent months and their travelling fans could scarcely believe their eyes as they chanted ‘no Piroe, no party.’
Ipswich gathered themselves and tried to respond. Jackson’s flick was retrieved by Broadhead and Massimo Luongo’s shot was blocked on the line. Meslier then denied Jackson low down.
The pressure was mounting as half-time approached, with Burns denied by Cody Drameh – who replaced the injured Byram – when about to pull the trigger. Broadhead then shot wide.
But Ipswich claimed their goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time, again courtesy of a Leeds error.
Drameh underhit a backpass to Meslier and Jackson nipped in, rounded the keeper before cutting it back for Broadhead to force it home. Drameh was taken off at half-time.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds face Salford City in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday as they chase back-to-back wins
Buoyed by the goal, Ipswich controlled the flow of play early in the second-half, showing patient build-up on both flanks.
Broadhead’s effort was deflected wide at the near post by Rodon and Harry Clarke bent a subsequent effort not too far wide.
But Leeds packed plenty of pace on the counter, with Piroe shooting into the side-netting after Rutter’s pass breached Ipswich’s defence. Gnonto’s fizzed low shot was pushed out by Hladky, who then grabbed Sinisterra’s drive, as Leeds sought to kill off the contest.
There was more and more open space to exploit and Piroe drew a good stop from Hladky after being teed up by the dangerous Sinisterra.
Indeed, it was little surprise when the Colombian scored their fourth, clipping home after a delightful turn of pace to get beyond Brandon Williams following Jamie Shackleton’s ball.
Still Ipswich pressed with Meslier’s palms stung by first Omari Hutchinson and then Jack Taylor, both thrown on by McKenna. Chaplin did rifle home late in stoppage time, but Leeds had done enough.
