Leeds United claimed the bragging rights in the West Yorkshire derby by thrashing Huddersfield Town 4-1 to pile even more pressure on Town manager Darren Moore.
A scintillating first half half display from United saw them race into a 4-0 lead and effectively end the contest before half time.
It was the ideal response from Leeds, who suffered a frustrating setback midweek against Stoke.
Leeds thought they had taken the lead early on after Crysencio Summerville’s freekick was flicked on well by Georginio Rutter into the path of Joel Piroe. Piroe was able to bring the ball down before poking his effort home, however he was flagged offside.
Leeds eventually took the lead just before the 20 minute mark after hitting the Terriers on a counter attack.
Rutter was able to lift a ball over the head of Tom Edwards to set Summerville on his way. Summerville drove aggressively towards the heart of the Huddersfield defence before laying the ball into the path of Dan James.
James received the ball on the edge of the box and shifted it onto his right foot before drilling his effort past Lee Nicholls at his near post.
Huddersfield had a chance to equalise when a long ball forward was not dealt with properly by Jamie Shackleton, leaving Delano Burgzorg one versus one with Illan Meslier. However, just before he could get his shot away, Joe Rodon was on hand to block the shot with a spectacular recovery tackle.
Summerville continued his fine form in front of goal when he doubled Leeds’ advantage just after the half-hour mark. Piroe played the ball to Summerville who’s clever footwork gave him half a yard of space when cutting in on his right foot before getting his shot off.
His shot wasn’t the most powerful but it went through the legs of Michal Helik which left Nicholls unsighted in the Town goal.
James added a third just a few minutes later as United continued to be ruthless in front of goal. Summerville again found himself with space to drive at the Huddersfield defence before sliding James through on goal. The Welshman made no mistakes as he dispatched of his strike emphatically into the bottom left-hand corner.
There was a party inside Elland Road after Summerville got his brace on the verge of half time.
Rutter did well to get down the left hand side before cutting the ball back to Summerville in the box. Summerville fainted to shoot on his right foot, before coming back on his left and picking out the bottom corner to complete a magnificent first half display.
It was a largely pedestrian paced second half with the Whites controlling the majority of possession, but Huddersfield did manage to pull a goal back with twenty minutes to go.
Sorba Thomas had a speculative strike from distance that was not dealt with by Meslier and Helik was on hand to sweep home the rebound in what was little more than a consolation goal.
Speaking after the game, Leeds manager Daniel Farke said:
“I think you could see how much it meant to my players. To win the derby and show the reaction to a disappointing result at Stoke. We did this in a perfect manner.”
Leeds are back in action next Friday in what is their biggest challenge of the season so far on paper, when they travel to play the league leaders Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.