Leeds United have moved to the Championship table after beating Millwall 2-0 at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
The win has put the Whites above Leicester on goal difference, having played a game more than the Foxes. Ipswich Town are a point behind in third place.
At the turn of the year, Leeds were 17 points behind Leicester, and now they managed to close the gap with the rivals in an astonishing manner, picking up 12 wins and a draw from their last 13 Championship games.
Goals from Willy Gnonto and Dan James secured all three points for Leeds. Ahead of the match, Leeds legend Jermaine Beckford was full of praise for midfielder Ilia Gruev, saying on LUTV that the 23-year-old has been “unbelievable”.
Beckford, who also works Sky Sports, World feed and BBC, said one of the main reasons Leeds have been so impressive is that players like Gruev and James have made an impact whenever Daniel Farke needed them to deliver.
Ilia Gruev has been brilliant for Leeds United
“Dan James is chomping at the bit to try and force the gaffer’s hand to get play him. Once he gets in, I can guarantee you he is not going to give that opportunity up very easily,” said Beckford.
“It’s the same with all the other players. You look at Gruev, since he’s come in to the team, he has been unbelievable.”
Gruev has made 14 starts in the Championship this season and a further nine appearances have come from the bench.
Beckford is absolutely spot on here. After Pascal Struijk got injured, Farke was forced to bring Etham Ampadu, who has received loads of praise from his international manager recently, in defence alongside Joe Rodon.
Gruev filled the spot in defensive midfield and he has been exceptional since. He makes around 1.7 tackles per game and maintains around 92.6% passing accuracy, as per whoscored.
Leeds remained the only side in the Championship who have remained unbeaten at home in the league thus far.
