BBC pundit Jon Newsome was left blown away by the performance of one of Leeds United’s attacking stars in the 4-3 win over Swansea City.
In arguably the best game of the Championship season so far, Leeds were not only forced to come from behind twice, but also show the character to go on and win the game in stoppage time following a 90th minute equaliser from the home side.
Swansea had gone into the break 2-1 ahead despite Manor Solomon’s first goal for the club, before an own goal from Ben Cabango put Leeds back on level terms.
Solomon had looked as though he’d won Leeds the game with his second, but the drama was far from over there as Swansea equalised in the 90th minute.
Just a matter of seconds later, though, Wilfried Gnonto stepped up to win the game for Leeds, finishing off Dan James’ third assist of an incredible match against his former club.
Newsome claims Dan James is ‘too good for the Championship’
Daniel Farke certainly sprung a surprise by naming James and Solomon as his two wingers, both of which were decisions that ended up proving to be a masterstroke.
James has rightly been criticised for his inconsistent end product throughout his career but that certainly cannot be said of him against Swansea.
His crosses across the six-yard box for Leeds’ first two goals were very unselfish, and his through ball for Gnonto was very composed at a time when the game was at its most frantic.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds post-match, former Whites defender Newsome believes it is a performance which shows James is ‘too good for the Championship’ and the man to replace Crysencio Summerville.
He said: “Listen I think he is a great player and the one that will fill the boots of Summerville. He’s the one if he gets the run of games and he keeps fit, he’s too good for the Championship in my opinion.
“I think he was unselfish today, two or three occasions in the past he’d probably take a touch or have a dig himself. Instead, he’s stuck it across the six-yard box, we scored the own goal from it, scored the first goal from it through Solomon.
“I thought he was unplayable at times today, and his work rate and pace. He catches people unaware all the time, defenders think they have time and all of a sudden he puts the burners on and nicks the ball. I thought he was magnificent today.”
Swansea setup suited James perfectly for Leeds
There is no doubt James is among the very best wingers in the Championship, but that was certainly a game which suited him down to the ground.
Swansea played an extremely high line and left all sorts of space for the likes of James to run in behind, which he did time and time again.
On the contrary, when sides, such as Millwall recently, sit back on the edge of their own box, it is when James finds it a lot more difficult.
Thankfully with Largie Ramazani now back, Gnonto back in the goals and Solomon kicking his Leeds career into gear, Farke has all the options he needs for different games.
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