Leeds United Under-23s maintained their impressive Premier League 2 Division 2 season on Sunday with an emphatic win over Middlesbrough.
The Whites regained their 12-point lead at the top with a 4-2 victory over Boro – racing into a 4-0 lead by half-time.
Max Dean and Nohan Kenneh had Leeds 2-0 up within 20 minutes before the impressive Joe Gelhardt added a five-minute brace to put the game beyond the hosts before the half-hour mark.
Middlesbrough did give it a go in the second period and Cain Sykes netted a brace himself, but it wasn’t enough.
It was Gelhardt, a summer signing from Wigan Athletic, who once again caught the eye. His second goal – and Leeds’ fourth – was the pick of the bunch.
Picking the ball up on the right-hand corner of the box, Gelhardt shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a lovely strike into the far corner, leaving the Boro goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Leeds fans were quick to pick up on the 18-year-old’s impressive showing and backed him to make a real impact moving forward.
Here’s what was said on Twitter after the game.
@steyfazz: The lad will play for England 100% ive never seen a teenager with such quick feet.
@Nar_eik: Reminds me of Bamfords vs Villa
Brilliant
@Elvidge501: What a player!
@MMMMMNoodleSoup: Again ... how is this lad not getting a look in on the bench?
@hollins_ben: This kid is ridiculous
@hughes_lufc: He needs to be on the bench at least for the next game , kids on fire
@imad_djaballah: He's goood
@clouseofbristol: @BenCorny669 remember the name mate!! Different class this lad
@AndrewFirth21: How he doesn’t make the first team bench at least is a mystery
@greig_forrest: Can’t wait to see some of these lads integrated into first team
@LucasG1998: Summerville and Gelhardt too good for u23s. Deffo need to be in the first team matchday squad soon
