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MARCELO'S METHODS

Leeds 2 Rotherham 0: Marcelo Bielsa makes history as hosts maintain their perfect start with victory over Millers

Luke Ayling and in-form Kemar Roofe score after half-time as Bielsa becomes the first manager to win his opening four games in charge of the club

Luke Ayling celebrates opening the scoring for Leeds

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LEEDS maintained their impressive unbeaten start to the season with a Yorkshire derby victory at home to rivals Rotherham.

Goals from Luke Ayling and leading scorer Kemar Roofe did the damage as Marcelo Bielsa's team made it three successive league victories and four in all competitions.

 Luke Ayling celebrates opening the scoring for Leeds
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Luke Ayling celebrates opening the scoring for LeedsCredit: Reuters

Defender Ayling headed the home side into a 49th-minute lead before Roofe put the contest beyond doubt with a clinical 72nd minute finish.

Amazingly it was right-back Ayling's first Leeds goal and first goal for nearly three and a half years having last scored in April 2015, playing for Bristol City when they demolished Bradford 6-0.

And for Roofe it was a third goal in four games to continue to what, has so far been, a fine start to the season.

Millers boss Paul Warne made eight changes to his starting line-up from Tuesday night's 3-1 home win over Wigan, while opposite number Bielsa also made eight changes from his team which beat Bolton 2-1 at Elland Road in midweek.

 Ayling headed in on the rebound shortly after half-time
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Ayling headed in on the rebound shortly after half-timeCredit: Reuters
 It was his first goal in 78 appearances for Leeds
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It was his first goal in 78 appearances for LeedsCredit: Reuters

And the Whites started brightly when Kalvin Phillips blasted high and wide for the hosts after only four minutes.

Roofe also went close to opening the scoring with a right-footed drive from the edge of the box.

Keeper Marek Rodak saved easily from Spanish forward Samuel Saiz as Leeds maintained their sustained pressure, but it was the Millers who should have taken the lead.

Shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell produced a fine point-blank save to deny winger Ryan Williams after skipper Liam Cooper had carelessly given the ball away in his own penalty area.

 Kemar Roofe doubled the home side's lead on 71 minutes
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Kemar Roofe doubled the home side's lead on 71 minutesCredit: Reuters
 Roofe netted his third goal in four appearances this season
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Roofe netted his third goal in four appearances this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

Ayling rifled a left-foot shot just wide of the right post as the game hotted up.

However, just a minute later and the visitors were desperately unlucky not to score when midfielder Jon Taylor's blistering strike rattled the inside of the left upright.

Lone striker Michael Smith then teed up midfielder Matthew Palmer on the edge of the box but he disappointingly blazed his shot over.

At the other end, Polish playmaker Mateusz Klich shot wide of the left post, while midfielder Will Vaulks had a rasping goalbound shot charged down just outside the area for the Millers.

 Jon Taylor hit the post for Rotherham in the first half
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Jon Taylor hit the post for Rotherham in the first halfCredit: Reuters
 Marcelo Bielsa is the first Leeds manager/head coach to start his reign with four straight wins
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Marcelo Bielsa is the first Leeds manager/head coach to start his reign with four straight winsCredit: PA:Press Association
 Leeds sit second in the table behind Middlesbrough
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Leeds sit second in the table behind MiddlesbroughCredit: PA:Press Association

Rodak denied Swiss defender Gaetano Berardi with an athletic fingertip save on the stroke of half-time as it finished goalless at the break.

The Whites had the perfect start to the second half. Rodak blocked Cooper's goalbound header and Roofe should have powered home the rebound.

But Ayling was on hand to head home, although referee Robert Jones had to check the ball had crossed the line before deservedly awarding the home side the lead.

Roofe then had a shot charged down and Saiz saw his close-range shot brilliantly headed off the line by Millers' skipper Richard Wood.

But not long after Roofe pounced to double the home side's lead in the 72nd minute and the job was done.

Debutant Ryan Manning came off the substitute's bench to force Peacock-Farrell into a save, but it was little too late for the visitors.

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