Leeds United take advantage of two Watford howlers to send message to Championship rivals

Fast-starting went joint-top after making the most of Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann’s two howlers.

side were 2-0 ahead inside just seven minutes. It’s the quickest they’ve enjoyed a two-goal lead in a league game since Mark Viduka’s brace against on New Year’s Day in 2002. And embarrassed Bachmann would have been forgiven for thinking he was dusting off a New Year’s Eve hangover here.

There should have been no danger at all when Largie Ramazani arrowed in a right-footed shot from the left corner of the penalty box on four minutes. But the experienced Austrian international somehow let the shot - at head height - slip through his grasp. He desperately scrambled to try and retrieve the gaffe but was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.

However, more calamity was still to come. The excellent Willy Gnonto drilled one shot just wide to show Leeds were in the mood.

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And when the Italian winger next darted down the right, his cross bounced in front of Bachmann. He should easily have dealt with it but, instead, just palmed the ball straight to Brenden Aaronson who gleefully accepted the present on his 24th birthday. Leeds fans bayed Bachmann continuously with chants of “Two nil, it’s your keeper’s fault!”

But their elation was tempered when Belgian Ramazani had to limp off in the 13th minute. And Bachmann did finally get things right with a solid save from Gnonto after the tricky wideman had played a brilliant one-two with Joel Piroe. didn’t have a shot on target until Giorgi Chakvetadze made Illan Meslier work in the 39th minute.

But they almost reduced the deficit when Moussa Sissoko headed over moments later and began to grow in confidence. They did reply just 35 seconds into the second half. Kwadwo Baah got past Leeds skipper Pascal Struijk far too easily to reach the byline.

As he crossed from the right, Joe Rodon only cleared it straight back to him, handing the German forward a simple strike. Yaser Larouci blazed a shot not far over the bar soon after.

Leeds, previously so assured and dangerous, became increasingly sloppy, inviting the visitors in and Meslier had to be alert to parry away Tom Ince’s free-kick. But they eventually steadied and should have made sure. Jayden Bogle hit a post, Piroe tamely fired the rebound at Bachmann and Mateo Joseph missed a gilt-edged header before Bachmann did well to deny Dan James.