Leeds United have recorded a 3-1 victory over Stoke City in Sunday's Championship clash at Elland Road.
Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez both got on the scoresheet to give Leeds a half-time lead, only for Benik Afobe to halve the deficit from the penalty spot shortly after the restart.
However, Leeds quickly reestablished their two-goal advantage through a Liam Cooper header, and head coach Marcelo Bielsa watched on as his side comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in Yorkshire courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Championship encounter between Leeds United and Stoke City. Both clubs have made some excellent additions during the summer transfer window, but who can get their second-tier campaign off to the perfect start? Let's take a look at the two starting lineups...
LEEDS UNITED XI: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Douglas; Phillips, Klich; Alioski, Saiz, Hernandez; Roofe
LEEDS UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Blackman, Jansson, Dallas, Baker, Harrison, Roberts, Bamford
STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Bauer, Martins Indi, Shawcross, Pieters; Allen, Ndiaye, Etubo; Ince, McClean, Afobe
STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Federeci, Edwards, Williams, Fletcher, Diouf, Bojan, Crouch
Let's start with the home side as Marcelo Bielsa opts to keep many of his summer signings on the bench. Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford have all recently arrived at Elland Road, but the quartet must make do with a place among the replacements.
Pontus Jansson also finds himself as a substitute having only recently linked up with the squad after representing Sweden at the World Cup, but there is an immediate debut for Barry Douglas at left-back, with the Scot having joined Leeds from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There are also starts for Bailey Peacock-Farrell between the sticks and midfielder Mateusz Klich, who spent the second half of the last campaign out on loan at Utrecht. Gaetano Berardi will partner Liam Cooper in the centre of defence.
Stoke boss Gary Rowett has taken a different approach with four new signings being given a start. Oghenekaro Etebo, Tom Ince, James McClean and Benik Afobe all take their place in midfield or attack.
However, there is a familiar look to the backline with all four defenders featuring heavily during the second half of the last campaign. It means that Ashley Williams - who has moved to the bet365 Stadium on loan from Everton - is only named as a substitute. Jack Butland is given the nod in goal as it begins to look increasingly likely that he will remain with the Potters.
The bench is as experienced as they come with Darren Fletcher and Peter Crouch also being kept in reserve. Their know-how is complemented by the flair of Bojan, who has been given an opportunity to kick-start his career at the Staffordshire-based club.
The majority of the opening games have already taken place across Friday and Saturday. Still need to catch up on the results? Look no further. Click here for our round-up from yesterday's action.
PREDICTION! This match is a difficult one to call. Stoke possess the all-round better quality and experience, but Leeds could surprise a few people this season and definitely possess flair going forward. That said, we are backing a 2-1 victory for the Potters.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's contest represents the 91st meeting between the two clubs, with Leeds claiming 44 victories in comparison to 28 wins being registered by Stoke.
It has been 12 years since these two clubs met in a competitive match. In December 2006, Stoke prevailed by a 3-1 scoreline at their home ground, and they head into this game having remained unbeaten in their last three clashes with Leeds.
It's time for the two teams to start making their way at Elland Road. As you would expect, the atmosphere at the home of the Yorkshire giants is electric. Is this the season where they will finally earn a return to the Premier League? Victory over Stoke would certainly make a statement.
A reminder of the two starting lineups...
LEEDS UNITED XI: Peacock-Farrell, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Douglas; Phillips, Klich; Alioski, Saiz, Hernandez; Roofe
STOKE CITY XI: Butland; Bauer, Martins Indi, Shawcross, Pieters; Allen, Ndiaye, Etubo; Ince, McClean, Afobe
KICKOFF: Stoke get us underway!
Leeds have started at a ferocious pace and they have already forced Butland into a rushed clearance which goes into touch. The England international has previously spent a loan spell at Elland Road.
Talk about setting the tone for the season. Leeds are playing at 100mph and keeping Stoke on the back foot. The Potters are having to battle hard to stay on level terms during these early stages.
SAVE! Nearly an opening goal for Leeds. Alioski's cross from the left is sensational and finds the run of Roofe, but the attacker's volley from eight yards out is brilliantly kept out by Butland.
Etebo has just got a weak shot away for Stoke but aside from that, Rowett's team are very much second best. He would have expected a fast start from Leeds, but maybe not this effective.
Stoke are able to slow things down when Leeds concede a free kick in the final third, but Butland quickly goes long and gives possession away again.
The inclusion of Roofe as a centre forward rather than a winger is paying off for Leeds. The Stoke defenders are being harried and given no time on the ball, resulting in the crowd getting up and the ball being given away.
GOAL! Leeds United 1-0 Stoke City (Mateusz Klich)
Leeds deservedly take the lead and it is a fantastic goal! Saiz picked up the ball on the left, drifted inside and danced past two players being threading a through-ball to Klich. The midfielder is played onside by Pieters and takes his time before finding the near bottom corner from 12 yards.
A second very nearly arrives minutes later. Another excellent move ends with an exchange between Saiz and Hernandez before the latter's first-time goalbound effort is blocked by Shawcross.
Better from Stoke who play Ince into the penalty area, but the summer signing's attempted cutback is poor and easily blocked by a defender.
OFF THE BAR! What a strike. There looks very little on when Ince picks up the ball from 35 yards out, but the winger opts to shoot and watches his attempt hit the top of the crossbar and go behind for a goal kick.
Back come Leeds who are having plenty of joy down the left-hand side of the pitch. Douglas is carrying a threat but most of the damage is coming from Alioski and Saiz.
Leeds have responded well to Stoke almost finding an equaliser out of nowhere. They are finding a good balance between keeping possession and attacking in numbers and with intensity.
What a waste! McClean is released with the ball down the left and finds himself in a two-on-one position. He doesn't commit to a pass or a shot and ends up seeing the defender makes an easy interception.
The Leeds crowd are fully engrossed in this match. They are craving a successful team and there are already signs that Bielsa could deliver. Very early days though!
I think that both sides are taking a bit of a breather. It's still very warm and with this being the first game of the season, neither set of players are up to peak match fitness. Stoke are happy to see the tempo drop.
Douglas is starting to find himself in advanced positions with more regularity. The Scot has not had much of a chance to get balls into the box so far due to the quality which is being delivered in front of him.
Stoke are trying their best to string a few more passes in the middle of the pitch, but without much success so far. They should try to get in behind more often because Afobe has been a passenger.
The most encouraging thing for Bielsa will be the fact that he still has plenty of his big-hitters in reserve. The strength in depth looks to be there for Leeds this season.
CHANCE! Leeds nearly score a dream goal! A pass is fired into Hernandez who proceeds to flick the ball through to the advancing Alioski. The Macedonian takes the volley on but sees Butland makes a super save to his left.
CHANCE! How are Leeds not further ahead? Moments after Alioski's volley, Roofe is played into the penalty area and drags a low shot agonisingly wide of the far post from 14 yards.
Stoke get back on the ball but the visitors could do with the break here. It feels only a matter of time before Leeds double their advantage.
Just the one minute to go now. Leeds have regained possession and are proceeding to put together passes in the middle of the pitch, but it is a way of trying to wind down the clock.
GOAL! Leeds United 2-0 Stoke City (Pablo Hernandez)
There is that second goal. Another sharp move ends with Hernandez being teed up on the edge of the area and although the Spaniard's shot is well-struck, it takes Butland to spill the ball into the net for a goal to be registered. It's a massive error and one which could cost Stoke a chance of a comeback.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Stoke City
The half-time whistle goes at Elland Road and Leeds are two goals to the good thanks to efforts from Klich and Hernandez. It could and should have been more. Bielsa is looking to make his mark on English football and 45 minutes in, it is all positive from the Argentine.
The second goal was slightly fortuitous but the first was sublime. Saiz has been a magician on the ball this afternoon and after dancing past a couple of players, his through-ball to Klich was perfectly-weighted and the Pole did the rest. He ended last season on loan at Utrecht, but that contribution could keep him in the team for the foreseeable future.
Fancy getting a clearer idea of what went down in that first half? Take a look at our Player Stats page, which should fill you in with everything that you may want to know.
The two teams have made their way back out at Elland Road. It looks like Rowett has opted against making any changes to his Stoke team.
KICKOFF: Leeds get us back underway.
It has been a quiet start to the second half with both teams looking to feel their way back into the game.
Leeds almost create the first chance since the restart. Hernandez's inswinging free kick is aimed towards the back post where Berardi is looking to meet it, but the ball runs out for a goal kick.
PENALTY! Out of nowhere, Stoke win a penalty. Leeds cannot clear the ball after a low cross from McClean, and a scramble ends with Douglas bringing down Ince inside the area.
GOAL! Leeds United 2-1 Stoke City (Benik Afobe)
Afobe makes no mistake from the spot, waiting for Peacock-Farrell to dive to his right before tapping the ball into the middle of the goal. Game on.
That goal has certainly dampened the mood at Elland Road. It is going to be up to Leeds to get back onto the front foot or else the tension is only going to intensify.
GOAL! Leeds United 3-1 Stoke City (Liam Cooper)
Well that's what Leeds bought Douglas for. The left-back sends in an inswinging corner from the left and Cooper gets across his marker to glance a header into the far corner of the net. Stoke have it all to do again.
Elland Road is bouncing again and so it should be. Leeds are really producing the goods this afternoon and their supporters are responding in kind. I doubt it will be long before Stoke make a change.
Rowett will be worried that the defence which has conceded three goals in an hour consists of players who all played in the Premier League last season. None of the back four have come anywhere close to meeting the standards asked of them.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Stoke make a double change with Fletcher and Bojan being introduced for Ndiaye and Etebo.
The visitors are starting to press much more than they have been but aside from the penalty, they are yet to test Peacock-Farrell in the Leeds goal. It surely won't be long before we see Crouch.
Leeds have taken a backwards step since the third goal, but that is understandable given the energy that they have already used up in this game. It is all about managing the situation and waiting for Stoke to act.
CHANCE! It should be four! Leeds engineer a smart move down the left which ends up with Klich being presented with an opportunity from eight yards, but the Pole scuffs his effort wide of the near post. Big chance.
Just the 20 minute to go in Yorkshire. This match has flown by! Still no changes from Bielsa. I am sure that they will be on their way eventually.
He is yet to get on the scoresheet but Saiz should be commended for his work-rate today. The playmaker has not stopped and it has been key in keeping Stoke on the back foot.
The pace of the game has started to drop, while the rhythm has been lost due to knocks to Afobe and Ayling. It is all playing into the hands of Leeds.
SUBSTITUTION! Stoke's third and final alteration sees Crouch introduced for Afobe.
SUBSTITUTION! Leeds have also made a change with Dallas replacing Klich.
SHOT! Stoke win a free kick from 30 yards and McClean's swerving effort is well dealt with by Peacock-Farrell. The visitors retrieve the ball and Martins Indi gets a headed chance inside of the area, only for his effort to loop over.
Time is running out for Stoke. They are starting to build a head of steam and Leeds are beginning to have to defend over a sustained period of time for the first time in the match, but it is going to take something special to deny Leeds here.
We are still to see any of Leeds' newcomers from the bench. They are being saved for another day. Neither of them look like coming on anytime soon.
SAVE! We have not seen much of Crouch since his introduction but the striker gets the better of his marker in the air at the back post and directs the ball towards the far corner. However, Peacock-Farrell gets enough on the ball to keep it away from danger.
McClean is no stranger to meaty challenges and Phillips and Berardi meet the winger head on with strong tackles of their own. The crowd loved that. Four minutes to go.
SUBSTITUTION! Saiz strides off to a standing ovation with Baker coming on in his place.
SUBSTITUTION! Harrison is also introduced for Alioski, who is also congratulated for his efforts today.
There will be five minutes of added-on time.
SAVE! Stoke almost give themselves a lifeline when Leeds can't deal with a cross, but Allen's close-range effort is superbly blocked by Peacock-Farrell.
That was Stoke's last opening, I feel. Leeds have the ball at the other end and are keeping it in the corner. It's job well done for Bielsa and his players.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-1 Stoke City
The full-time whistle goes at Elland Road and Leeds have started their Championship campaign in some style. Klich, Hernandez and Cooper all get on the scoresheet to deliver a 3-1 win over promotion favourites Stoke, who were second best in Yorkshire. This was a statement performance from Bielsa and his team.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
