LEEDS dismantled relegated West Brom to cap a memorable return to the top-flight as they leapfrogged Everton to finish ninth.
Record signing Rodrigo got the Whites up and running after nodding in Raphinha’s corner to end his debut campaign on six goals.
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Kalvin Phillips then scored his first ever Premier League goal just before the break with a 25-yard free-kick.
Known as the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, it was not quite up to the Italian icon’s standards though, with Baggies keeper Sam Johnstone’s howler to blame.
And sub Patrick Bamford made it 3-0 with 11 minutes remaining, taking his tally to 17 as he remains hopeful of an England call-up for the Euros.
After 16 years in the wilderness, Leeds ended their first year back in the big time in stunning style to make it four straight wins.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa is yet to sign a new deal into next season but that appears a formality.
And with the prospect of a full Elland Road roaring them on, Leeds staff, players and supporters will see no reason why they can’t improve on ninth.
Most of the just over 8,000 fans were inside over 30 minutes early to roar on their heroes during the warm ups.
With supporters buzzing to be back and departing favourites Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi given a farewell start, it was a carnival atmosphere.
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Midfield magician Hernandez, 36, was hell-bent on signing off in style and thought he had assisted the opener for Jack Harrison but the offside flag went up.
But they were up and running 17 minutes in, with Rodrigo bagging his sixth of a mixed first season since arriving from Valencia for a club-record £26million.
Fellow new boy Raphinha’s whipped corner from the right evaded everyone, with the Spanish international guiding in to nod home at the far post.
And it was 2-0 three minutes before the break thanks to a howler Johnstone will not want to see back.
Phillips’ 25-yard curling free-kick was as gentle as they come but bounced just in front of the keeper, bamboozling him and skipping up over the hapless dive.
The relegated Baggies offered next to nothing in the opening half, but eight minutes into the second and Matt Phillips’ deflected shot struck the post before sub Grady Diangana skied well over from eight yards.
For Leeds it was now all about whether Hernandez could end with a goal, but despite plenty of half-chances he found no way past Johnstone.
He and Berardi were then subbed off together in emotional scenes as the Elland Road faithful’s love poured out.
Top scorer Bamford started on the bench but, having replaced Rodrigo at half-time, wrapped things up with a penalty after Okay Yokuslu’s handball.
There was one late blemish hoever, with Hal Robson-Kanu pouncing on Phillip’s late mistake to make it 3-1.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
