With a clinical display against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, in-form Leeds United made it six Championship victories from seven goals when Daniel James scored his third goal in three games.
The first half was uneventful until James fired a beautiful low shot past keeper Leopold Wahlstedt and into the corner to put the visitors ahead.
Sammie Szmodics, Rovers’ top scorer, was inevitably their most likely goal scorer, missing a chance to score after James gave the visitors the lead and then heading wide after Harry Pickering crossed the ball.
Leeds, who have won nine out of 11 games and are currently unbeaten in seven, had the better first-half opportunities, with Georginio Rutter’s effort going past the post and Joel Piroe’s curling free-kick unfortunate to be deflected wide.
After the break, Rovers played with more purpose, with Callum Brittain’s shot going into the side net and penalty calls being waved away when the ball struck Pascal Struijk’s arm in the area.
However, Summerville’s goal, his ninth of the year, doubled United’s lead after a lovely pass from Archie Gray, ending any realistic chance of Rovers winning and securing the final play-off spot.
Leeds managed to hold on despite sustained late home pressure, which saw referee Bobby Madley wave away further claims for a spot-kick after Jake Garrett went down in the box during a tussle with Ethan Ampadu and Meslier make an incredible save from substitute Arnor Sigurdsson.
Head of Blackburn, Jon Dahl Tomasson:
“We’re very sad about the defeat. All things considered, it was a fantastic performance against a very strong Premier League team that had many talented players. We are all aware of Leeds’ excellence in transitions. Two of their goals came from transitions.
“The clinical aspects were what separated the two teams. Although we played against a very strong team, we most likely got into better areas than the opposition. I believe my players performed admirably. They will, in my opinion, be promoted automatically.
Actually, I believe we were the superior side in the second half. In the last third, we were not connected well enough, even though we were in very good areas. However, they possessed quality and were a tad more clinical.”
Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds:
“There are two very strong possession teams, and you have to understand that each will have periods of time when they dominate the game, but you also need to be extra focused when you get the ball.
Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds:
“There are two excellent possession teams, and you have to acknowledge that each will have periods of the game when they control the ball. However, you also need to be extremely alert when you have the ball in order to counterattack quickly. We basically accomplished both of these goals in this way. The finishes were as cold as ice.
“It pleases me greatly that we return home undefeated against a very strong and formidable foe. We denied them a great deal. Although they were in possession of their spells, there weren’t many big chances.
“It was crucial to have a perfect defense and a clean sheet today after a few weeks in which we had given up one, sometimes even two, goals. It’s a fantastic performance, and we’ve won big. I’m quite happy about it.”
