Leeds United defender Sam Byram has claimed that his side are now “building momentum” following a dominant 3-0 home win against Watford over the weekend.
Leeds established their authority in the contest from kick-off in front of a baying Elland Road crowd, and should have led going into half-time on the balance of play – with a combination of a strong goalkeeping performance from Hornets stopper Daniel Bachmann and spurned Whites chances keeping the scoreline level.
The relentless pressure from Daniel Farke’s side eventually told, however, as winger Dan James’ cross found summer signing Joel Piroe at the back post to slam home in the game’s 67th minute.
As was the case against Millwall the weekend before, Leeds’ goal opened the floodgates, as Byram scored a powerful headed effort just minutes later from a corner.
🤩 "Byram rises through the crowd!" pic.twitter.com/yQZYq7CyvB
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 23, 2023
The seal was placed on a dominant Leeds display just before injury time as club record signing Georginio Rutter – who was a constant threat to the Hornets’ back line throughout the match – slipped in winger Jaidon Anthony with a perfectly weighted through ball, a chance that didn’t go wasted with the Bournemouth loanee coolly slotting in the finish to put his side three goals ahead.
Saturday afternoon’s Elland Road rout made it six games unbeaten for the Whites, with four consecutive clean sheets.
Byram reflected on Leeds’ impressive performance, stating that there was a widespread belief within the squad – even as the scoreline was even – that their dominance of the contest would eventually result in goals.
“I think the goal was coming after the first half, we had so many chances and if we’re being honest we probably should have done better with some of them, their goalkeeper has made a few good saves as well.
“The boss said at half time to keep pressing them and once we get one, we should get a few and that is what happened, it was a very enjoyable day.
“It was probably one of our best performances in terms of dominating the game.
“It’s was just a case to keep pressing and we knew a chance would come and when it did, it fell nicely to Joel Piroe with a nice cross from Dan James.
“We know we have quality all over the pitch, we created a lot of chances at the first half, so we knew it was just a matter of time.”
And with the Whites now sitting 6th in the Championship table after picking up seven points from their last three games confidence within the side is at a high, with Byram quick to stress the importance of building on the momentum generated by this string of positive results.
“There was a few times when we pressed really well and won the ball back you could feel the whole stadium roar and it lifts you on the pitch.
“I think we did well to nullify their attacking players as they have some quality in the attacking areas, but overall, I thought it was a well-deserved win.
“I said before the game if we could win against Watford it would have been a very good week, we’re building momentum now and hopefully we can keep going that way.”
