On-loan Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt showed his parent club exactly what they are missing as he continued his dazzling run of form for Hull City.
Joe Gelhardt was once the next great hope at Leeds United as he burst onto the scene during the club’s most recent spell in the Premier League.
Leeds fans thought they had uncovered a diamond in Gelhardt’s first season under Marcelo Bielsa and subsequently Jesse Marsch, as he scored a famous goal against Norwich.
However, injuries and a lack of opportunities hindered his progress before Gelhardt found his feet on loan with Hull City.
Now, he has continued a career-best run of form with another goal for the Tigers as they continued their push for the Championship play-offs.
Joe Gelhardt in action during Norwich City v Hull City - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
Joe Gelhardt sends another reminder to Leeds United
Gelhardt had found the net in four consecutive games for Hull before he failed to score in a 2-1 defeat against Derby County in midweek.
However, he did not have to wait long for his next goal, as he scored the winner in a dramatic 3-2 win over Portsmouth.
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Gelhardt played a role in Hull’s second goal, providing the assist with a cross as Kyle Joseph bundled home from close range, before Portsmouth equalised to make it 2-2 at half-time.
The Leeds loanee had the final word in a dramatic game, dinking home left-footed in the 79th minute to give his side a win and score his fifth goal in six games, taking his Championship goal tally to a personal best seven for the season.
Joe Gelhardt in action for Hull City
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Joe Gelhardt close to matching Leeds United’s goal tally for the season
Leeds United’s struggles in front of goal have been well-documented this season, as they sweat over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of the game against Nottingham Forest.
The Whites have only managed nine goals in the Premier League under Daniel Farke this season, averaging less than a goal a game.
Joe Gelhardt for Hull City this season: Data from FotMob
Played: 15
Goals: 7
Assists: 2
With seven goals for Hull during this loan spell, Gelhardt has nearly matched Leeds’ goal tally for the season. When you add in his two assists, he has as many goal contributions as Farke’s side has goals.
Although Leeds have no option to recall Gelhardt, if he continues his current form, they may have a decision to make on his future at the end of the season.