Daniel Farke hailed Leeds’ “top level” forwards after the emphatic 4-0 win at Watford increased their lead at the Championship summit to five points.
Dan James opened the scoring in the 20th minute after latching on to a misplaced pass from Edo Kayembe.
The Wales winger made it 2-0 eight minutes later when Watford were caught out by a swift counter-attack.
Manor Solomon saw a shot deflected in for the third before half-time, with Joel Piroe slotting in the fourth midway through the second period after Watford were undone with some quick passing in tight spaces.
The scoreline meant that Leeds have netted 13 times without reply in their last three league outings.
Boss Farke said: “We were excellent on the counter-attack and the way we scored the goals. I’m pretty happy with the scoreline and the clean sheet.
“The fourth goal was poetry in motion I would say. The individual performance of the players up front was of the top level.
“All the topics that were important for this game we have delivered. The way we scored the goals was fantastic.”
Farke, who twice led Norwich to promotion to the Premier League as champions, praised James for his improved goal output after hitting double figures.
He said: “There was always criticism of his end product but he was always open to improve.
“He brought himself into such a good shape that he can now play with confidence. His work ethic is crucial and is why he is delivering what he has delivered.”
Promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United are Leeds’ next opponents and Farke was hopeful of keeping a 14-game unbeaten league run going.
He said: “We know we have good momentum and a great shape but we have to use it and keep going. We need to stay awake and need a little bit of luck in hopefully not getting injuries to key players.”
This was a fifth straight home loss for the Hornets, which increased the pressure on head coach Tom Cleverley.
He said: “They punished us heavily and that comes with pace and quality. They smelled blood and really went for the kill.
“I’m not saying this to protect myself – honestly Leeds are one of the best teams I have seen at this level.
“This should give us the inspiration to get to the level we want to get to. As a player that level would inspire me to do more in my life to try to reach it.
“They are a very expensive squad so it’s a little unfair for me to compare my players against them but we could have done better in certain aspects.
“We have to get better and the only way we can do that is by sticking together.”
Cleverley refused to condemn Kayembe for the first goal but felt the third was unacceptable.
He said: “Kayembe showed for the ball so I will never ever criticise that – I will take the responsibility. The third goal I’m super-disappointed with, you should never concede from a throw-in. It’s something that I demand.”
