Leeds United moved back to the top of the EFL Championship table thanks to a 5-0 win over Stoke City.

Second-half goals from Helder Costa, Liam Cooper, Pablo Hernandez and Patrick Bamford helped Marcelo Bielsa's side to an impressive victory at Elland Road after Mateusz Klich penalty had put them in front before the break.

Story of the match

Double goal-line frustration

The hosts looked to attack from the off and were almost in front on 22 minutes when Bamford was played through on goal.

The Leeds forward looked to have put his side ahead as he dinked his shot over goalkeeper Jack Butland, but Potters midfielder James McClean was there to clear it off the line.

Bamford's strike-partner Tyler Roberts then looked to follow in the rebound but saw his effort also blocked by Danny Batth.

Klich slots Leeds in front

Stoke's initial defensive work was then undone just before the break, however, as Tommy Smith brought down Costa inside the area.

Referee Darren Bond subsequently pointed to the spot and Klich calmly stroked the ball past Butland into the bottom corner.

Costa pokes in a second

Leeds started the second half in the same way that they finished the first as they doubled their lead just two minutes into the restart.

Costa latched onto a through ball in behind substitute James Chester and poked the ball past Butland.

Cooper makes it three

The hosts remained in control and grabbed a third just before the hour mark as Bielsa's men continued to cause problems for the Stoke defence.

Kalvin Phillips found substitute Hernandez who drove into the area and cut the ball back to Cooper who then fired past Butland into the far corner.

Hernandez stunner wraps it up

Hernandez was then at the centre of his side's attacking play as they added a fourth on 72 minutes.

After being played through once again, Costa pulled the ball back into the path of Hernandez who sent a first-time effort into the top right corner.

Bamford strikes in added time

Leeds continued to push for more deep into the half and grabbed a fifth through Bamford in added time.

The forward latched on to a long ball over the top and saw his low shot go across goal and in off of the far post.
 

Man of the Match: Helder Costa

The Portuguese winger was at the heart of his side's attacking play and posed a constant threat to the Stoke defence down the right.

An impressive contribution of a goal and two assists and the 26-year-old could've had more in an almost-perfect evening for Leeds.
 

Match Stats

Leeds United 4-0 Stoke City

Meslier, Ayling, Cooper (Berardi, 83') White, Dallas (Douglas, 75') Phillips, Klich (Shackleton, 79'), Costa, Harrison (Alioski, 79'), Roberts (Hernandez, 45') Bamford

Unused subs: Miazek, Struijk, Stevens, Poveda

Butland, Smith, Collins (Chester, 45') Batth, Martins Indi, Cousins, Clucas (Thompson, 81') Campbell (Diouf, 61') Powell (Sorensen, 75') McClean, Vokes (Gregory, 61')

Unused subs: Davies, Ward, Lindsay, Ince

Takeaways

Leeds keep marching on

An almost-perfect performance sees Leeds return to the top of the Championship table and move six points clear of the play-off places in impressive style.

With just four games remaining and games against Barnsley and Charlton Athletic still to play, the dream of Premier League football may be starting to become a reality for Bielsa's side.

Vital week ahead

This was not the performance Stoke boss Michael O'Neill would have expected following Saturday's 4-0 win over Barnsley.

The Potters remain just one point above the relegation zone with two important games against Birmingham City and Bristol City to come next week.

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