Since joining Leeds United from Swansea City last month, Joel Piroe has scored three goals in as many appearances.
Leeds United won 3-0 at Millwall, their second victory of the Championship season, thanks to a brace from Joel Piroe.
In the 15th minute, the Dutch striker completed a quick counterattack by striking low across Lions goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski and into the bottom right corner.
Before Georginio Rutter surged upfield and swapped passes with Wilfried Gnonto before feeding Piroe in the box, the hosts alleged a foul on Kevin Nisbet during the buildup.
With 13 minutes remaining, Piroe scored Leeds’ second goal after Dan James slipped while attempting to complete Rutter’s cut-back. Rutter later finished decisively from 15 yards to seal the victory.
Millwall didn’t respond much after crucial player Zian Flemming was substituted, though Ryan Longman and Tom Bradshaw both tried the home goalkeeper Illan Meslier after the halftime score of 1-0.
After winning at The Den for the first time since March 2012, Leeds jumps up to 10th in the Championship, two points outside of the play-offs, while Millwall drops to 18th after suffering their third loss in five league games.
Whites in the attack exude class.
In addition to contributing to the first two goals and scoring the third, Georginio Rutter stood out for Leeds.
Piroe scored 41 league goals during his two-year stay at Swansea, and since moving to Elland Road last month for a rumored sum of more than £10 million, he has adapted well.
Leeds seem to have the threat up front to mount a promotion campaign as manager Daniel Farke seeks an immediate return to the Premier League. Leeds managed to hold onto Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville during the summer transfer window.
A quick and expertly executed move from the visitors caused Millwall to lose the lead after dominating the first quarter in front of a boisterous home crowd. Jake Cooper and Allan Campbell both had shots blocked.
The Lions initially claimed a penalty for handball against Luke Ayling, who was lying face down in the box but controlled the ball with his head, and then a foul on Nisbet by Piroe, but Archie Gray supplied Rutter, who advanced into the Millwall half before finding Gnonto on the left side.
Gnonto gave Rutter the ball back, and Rutter slipped Piroe in. Piroe controlled with the outside of his right boot before slipping his low shot past Bialkowski.
Summerville’s effort from a tight angle on the right side of the box gave Leeds a chance to score again, and shortly after that, Longman’s curling effort from just inside the box forced Meslier into a diving save.
After the break, Bradshaw fired a shot straight at the Leeds goalie, but there weren’t many clear-cut chances for Millwall’s Gary Rowett’s team until Leeds scored twice in a span of five minutes.
