Aston Villa may have beaten them 2-1 but Leeds boss Jesse Marsh said it was his side’s “best performance” in his 11 months in charge.
Leon Bailly finished off a quick counter-attack to give Villa an early lead and Emiliano Buendia headed in the second before Patrick Bamford’s late strike for Leeds.
Marsh told JEE News: “It was our most complete performance since I’ve been here. It’s a really positive sign for me. It hurts to lose but a really positive performance.
“I’ve put a lot of effort into creating a process and an understanding of how we want to play football. I’m really pleased to see it starting to come together.”
Marsh, who took over last February, sees his side stay two points above the drop zone.
“We have to stay focused on our process and not get pressured by the table. I want us to be laser-focused on ourselves,” he said.
Bailly had a hand in both goals before the Jamaican winger finished off a counter-attack with a superb run from Boubacar Kumara to give the hosts the lead in just the third minute.
It was Villa’s only shot in the first half, with two Leeds penalty appeals turned down, a Rodrigo goal disallowed for offside and big chances missed.
Villa debutant Alex Moreno denied Rodrigo with a goal-line clearance and keeper Emiliano Martinez pulled off a superb reaction stop to deny Jack Harrison from close range.
Unai Emery’s hosts were better in the second half and got a goal to make them more comfortable – thanks to the video assistant referee.
Bailly’s shot was saved by Alan Meslier with Buendia heading the rebound past the grounded goalkeeper.
The goal was ruled out for offside but VAR told referee Michael Oliver that Buendia was clearly onside – and it was awarded.
Leeds were given hope in the final 10 minutes though when Wilfred Gonto cut the ball back for Bamford, who returned home after two-and-a-half months out with a hamstring injury.
But they couldn’t find an equalizer and finished just two points above the relegation zone, with Villa 11th in the table with eight points.
It wasn’t the best night for Villa, who lost left-back Lucas Digne and striker Ollie Watkins to injury in the first half.
Villa bounced back
It was Villa’s first home win since the World Cup break in November – and timely after last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Stevenage.
Veteran full-back Ashley Young was involved in most of their key moments in the game.
The goal came from a Leeds corner which Young flicked to Kamara, who ran half the length of the pitch before finding Bailly, whose finish was superb.
Mourinho, a £13m signing from Real Betis on Wednesday, started on the bench but was needed inside nine minutes after Dagne suffered a shoulder injury.
He did well to deny Rodrigo as the striker rounded the Villa keeper and Young later blocked Gunto’s shot after Martinez denied Harrison.
Villa had one shot in the first half – that goal – and 10 attempts in the second half.
His second goal matched his first when he tackled young Tyler Adams in the box.
They had a scare after Bamford netted but Philippe Coutinho went close to making it safe with a 45-yard lob that went just wide.
Emery said: “We struggled in the first half and in the second half we played better. It was difficult for us to play through the press.
“It was important to get the second goal because they were playing well to try and score and they did.
“It’s no surprise to me that he came back. We needed a goalkeeper and Martinez’s save was amazing.
“I’m very happy with Leon Baillie. In the last game he had two very good chances to win the match and he was a bit worried and today he scored and got the action in the second goal.”
Disappointment for Leeds
Leeds felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Douglas Luiz put his arm on Rodrigo, but it was not awarded, and Harrison shot wide as the game wore on.
Tyrone Mingus pulled Gonto’s shirt in a corner and let out another screamer – which was also turned down by the officials.
Rodrigo, Harrison and Gonto all had chances before Rodrigo’s goal was disallowed.
The frontman laid down a cross to Brandon Aaronson, whose shot was parried by Mingus. Rodrigo, on the ground, bent in the rebound – but he was initially offside so the goal didn’t count.
The second half was more of the same but the chances kept coming for Leeds. Gnonto curled wide and Aaronson’s shot was deflected.
They finally got the goal they deserved when teenager Gonto slotted past Young before bursting down the left and setting up substitute Bamford for his first goal since 2021.
Jesse Marsh pushed for an equalizer but was blocked by Villa.
