---
title: "Unsung Hero: Leeds United’s Liam Cooper goes under the radar in win over Bristol City"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/unsung-hero-leeds-uniteds-liam-cooper-goes-under-the-radar-in-win-over-bristol-city/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "uncategorised"
published: "2020-02-17T12:30:49Z"
modified: "2020-02-17T12:30:49Z"
---

# Unsung Hero: Leeds United’s Liam Cooper goes under the radar in win over Bristol City

**Leeds United beat Bristol City 1-0 as the Whites ended a run of three games without a win with one player going under the radar with his performance.**

The game was decided just 16 minutes into the first half when Luke Ayling smashed home the opening goal as chaos ensued in the Robins’ penalty box [(via BBC)](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51423624). Lee Johnson’s side did have the opportunity to equalise in the second half as Nakhi Wells rippled the side netting after being played through by [Famara Diedhiou](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51423624). Marcelo Bielsa’s team had chances to extend their lead further with [Jack Harrison and Helder Costa](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51423624) missing opportunities.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Unsung-heros.png)

Ayling enjoyed a sensational game for the Yorkshire outfit, putting in a great display on the right flank. As well as scoring the winning goal, the London-born defender made the joint-most tackles (3), played the joint-most accurate long balls (5) and the third-most passes (67) in his side [(via WhoScored)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381824/LiveStatistics/England-Championship-2019-2020-Leeds-Bristol-City).

However, the unsung hero proved to be Liam Cooper, who managed to go unnoticed with his performance at the heart of the defence. Indeed, his display was a sight to behold as the captain [won a staggering eight aerial duels, made the most interceptions (3), the joint-most clearances (3) and completed the second-most passes (70)](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1381824/LiveStatistics/England-Championship-2019-2020-Leeds-Bristol-City) within his team.

Leeds Live agreed with this assessment of his performance as they gave him a seven out of 10, commenting on his leadership at the back. They said: “Organised and mopped up anything which came through to him, although it was limited. One telling tackle on Andreas Weimann stood out in the first half, which denied a one on one.” [(Source: Leeds Live)](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-ratings-bristol-city-17754137)

***Leeds fans, what did you make of Cooper’s performance in defence? Join the discussion below!***