Leeds destroy Stoke as they go on to win promotion
Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes as Leeds United tore apart Stoke City on a day when their promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed.The Whites' place in the top flight next season was secured later on Monday when Burnley beat third-placed Sheffield United, a win which also sent the Clarets up.The hosts made an electric start at a buoyant Elland Road as Piroe scored twice in the first eight minutes after poor defensive play from the visitors.Things went from bad to worse for the Potters when the Dutchman, the league's top scorer, completed his treble from close range, before Junior Firpo bundled in a fourth and Piroe made it 5-0 at half-time.The pace predictably dropped off after the interval but Willy Gnonto headed in the sixth from Manor Solomon's whipped cross from the left.Stoke arrived at Elland Road unbeaten in five but this damaging defeat means they could yet get dragged back into relegation trouble.
Piroe gets the party started
Former Swansea man Piroe had failed to score in his nine previous games but ended his near three-month drought inside six minutes with a composed finish after Stoke coughed up possession 20 yards from their own goal.The Potters were then caught out at the back again just two minutes later as Jayden Bogle pinched the ball and teed up Piroe for his second.Two became three for Piroe and the rampant hosts when he hammered in at an angle from a rebound and Firpo got his fourth of the season from close in.Piroe made it 5-0 before the break with another scrappy effort as Stoke totally fell apart.Mark Robins made three changes at the break to try and stem the tide and his men at least managed to keep the score down in the second half.The nature of the sixth goal summed up Stoke's miserable day. They cleared an initial corner in but then got no pressure on the ball as Solomon was allowed to cut in on his right foot and hit a shot towards the back post that an unmarked Gnonto was able to head in from close in.Leeds brought on 16-year-old Harry Gray, brother of Tottenham's Archie and great-nephew of Leeds legend Eddie, for his debut in the final few moments.After full-time celebrations their fans turned their attention across the Pennines to Turf Moor where Burnley battled past the Blades with a result which sent both teams up.Stoke will look to move on quickly from this and welcome the Blades on Friday knowing a win will secure their place in the Championship for another season.
Robins criticises 'fearful' Potters
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:"To deliver such an emphatic performance is really amazing and all the credit goes to the boys for the way they have handled the situation and the spirit they have shown in recent weeks."It's the fate of a striker that sometimes you have a dry period or a dip in form. Joel had this but he has worked so hard and got himself out of it. "In the last few weeks his performances were better but the ball didn't want to go in the net. It's a bit like shaking a bottle of ketchup, all of a sudden everything comes out and that was a bit the case today.(On Harry Gray's debut) "I couldn't paint a better day for it to be honest. He wasn't just on the pitch because his name is Gray. I don't like to praise a young lad too early or too much but we believe in his potential. It was not a gift today, he has earned his position in the squad."Stoke City boss Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke:"We didn't compete. You can lose against anyone and especially to teams at the top of the league who will be in the Premier League next season but we gave them the freedom of the stadium. We didn't lay a glove on them."We made mistakes without trying to do something right. We looked fearful to take part in a game that we looked like we didn't belong in."I'm not going to over-react. You don't get too high or too low. I don't have the luxury of dwelling on it, I have to make sure we are back on it on Friday."Anyone who thought we were home and dry, that is a kick in the teeth. The performance wasn't befitting of anyone from any team let alone anyone from my Stoke City team."
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