Leeds 5-1 Newport: Kemar Roofe nets hat-trick for rampant Leeds

Kemar Roofe showed there is life after Chris Wood with a hat-trick in Leeds' 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newport.

Roofe started up front following Wood's move to Burnley and he gave Leeds a nudge that they need not look too far for his permanent replacement.

Newport were forced to give up home advantage in the second round tie due to the resurfacing of their Rodney Parade pitch but they took the game to a much-changed Leeds side and deservedly went in front through Joss Labadie.

Roofe crucially equalised in the final minute of the first half and then put Leeds ahead just after the restart before completing his treble with an overhead kick.

Samuel Saiz continued his stunning start to life at Leeds by slotting home their fourth and Ronaldo Vieira completed the rout late on.

Newport only escaped relegation from the Football League on the final day of last season but have started this campaign brightly despite playing every game away from home.

Rob Green did well to keep out Sean Rigg's well-struck low shot early on at Elland Road before Shawn McCoulsky had a volley headed off the line by Vurnon Anita.

Luke Ayling tried to get Leeds going with a 30-yard drive that flew inches wide but Newport had been much the better side and got the goal their play merited on 33 minutes.

Green has had to play second fiddle to Felix Wiedwald in the early weeks of the season and he had a moment to forget when he got down to save Labadie's 25-yard strike only to see the ball spin back into the net.

Leeds had been way below their best but Roofe turned the game on its head either side of half-time.

He was in the right place to tap home after Ayling's header rebounded off the post and then produced another calm finish four minutes into the second half when Stuart Dallas' cross was pushed into his path.

Roofe was in the mood all of a sudden and, after hitting the bar with a sublime chip, he completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute with an acrobatic finish from Ayling's cross.

In the end the scoreline flattered Leeds after substitute Saiz and Vieira added neat finishes in the final 12 minutes.