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Aston Villa’s perfect start to the English Premier League ended with Leeds 3-0.
Villa had never won his first five league games. And even after this defeat he has not seen him miss the opportunity to lead the Premier League for the first time since October 2001.
The small part of the story was earned by Patrick Bamford, whose second-half hat trick made the striker the second player to score in each of Leeds’ first three away games in a top-flight season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937.
Laurence Griffiths / AP
Patrick Bamford, left, scored a hat-trick during Leeds’ big win over previously undefeated Aston Villa.
Bamford scored six Premier League goals as Marcelo Bielsa’s side continued their impressive return to the first division.
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Leeds enjoyed the best of the first 25 minutes but survived a penalty scare late in the half when Villa captain Jack Grealish fell under a challenge from Helder Costa inside the area. Referee Paul Tierney rejected the appeals and his decision was supported by a VAR check.
Villa started the second half better, but Leeds went ahead after 55 minutes. Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison led a counterattack, with the latter taking Rodrigo’s run inside the box. His effort was initially rebuffed by Emiliano Martinez, but Bamford was on the prowl to put the fumble at the far post.
Leeds doubled their lead shortly after. Bamford fired into the top corner from outside the box with unerring accuracy.
Michael Steele / AP
Aston Villa’s Matt Targett, right, fights for the ball with Leeds United’s Joe Gelhardt.
Bamford completed his hat trick in the 74th minute, showing good feet to work a yard of space inside the penalty area before passing the ball past Martinez.
Leeds were creating chances at an alarming rate and Bamford had a chance to score the fourth but threw his header into the goalkeeper’s arms, then Pablo Hernandez fired wildly over the bar when he had time and space to do much better.
