Port Vale bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Leeds United on Wednesday night as a hat-trick from Samuel Saiz and a strike from Caleb Ekuban sealed victory for Thomas Christiansen’s side.
A goal from Michael Tonge during the first half did give the Valiants some hope, but the Championship team prevailed to progress to the second round.
During the opening exchanges both sides jostled for possession, but Vale fashioned their first chance of the evening on seven minutes.
Rekeil Pyke carried the ball down the left flank before letting fly from inside the area, but Leeds ‘keeper Felix Wiedwald was on hand to gather the shot.
A spell of possession then followed for the hosts and they took the lead on 13 minutes in fortuitous circumstances.
Stuart Dallas’ initial cross bounced off the far post and fell to Samuel Saiz inside the area and he fired a finish into the corner past Rob Lainton.
After opening the scoring, Leeds continued to keep the ball well and a neat move on 21 minutes resulted in Cameron Borthwick-Jackson forcing Lainton into a save.
The Championship side then flashed in a number of low crosses, but Vale’s defence dealt with them well to relieve the pressure.
With 36 minutes played Vale then found a leveller as Michael Tonge fired a finish into the bottom corner to make it two goals in as many games for him.
A long throw-in from Gavin Gunning caused the initial danger, Dan Turner then flicked the ball into Tonge’s path and the midfielder fired home to make it 1-1.
Vale came out after the restart with a change of goalkeeper, but Sam Hornby wasn’t required on 51 minutes as Ronaldo Vieira sent an effort way off target from distance.
Up the other end just moments later the Valiants almost found the net as Anton Forrester saw a shot blocked from inside the six-yard area.
Several chances then fell United’s way soon after and Hornby pulled off a couple of smart saves, but he couldn’t deny Saiz on the hour mark.
The Spanish midfielder then completed his hat-trick with an emphatic finish on 63 minutes to widen the margin to two goals and make it 3-1 to the hosts.
As the game wore on, Leeds continued to attack and it took a brave block from Gunning to thwart Ezgjan Alioski.
The substitute then went close on 79 minutes as he drilled an effort towards the Vale goal, but Hornby reacted well to tip the ball over the bar with an acrobatic save.
Leeds did add a fourth late on, however, as Caleb Ekuban got on the end of an Alioski cross to complete the scoring.
Vale were also reduced to ten men in the closing stages as Gunning received a second booking from referee Peter Bankes after a challenge on Alioski.
Team Line-ups
Leeds United: Wiedwald, Ayling © (Gomes 70), Shaughnessy, Borthwick-Jackson, Anita, Vieira, Klich (Bridcutt 57), Dallas, Saiz, Sacko (Alioski 57), Ekuban.
Unused Substitutes: Peacock-Farrell, Wood, Hernandez, Phillips.
Port Vale: Lainton (Hornby 45), Davis, Smith, Kay, Gunning, Reeves, Tonge, Pugh © (Harness 80), Turner, Pyke, Forrester (Pope 62).
Unused Substitutes: Gibbons, Calveley, de Freitas, Whitfield.
Attendance: 15,431