LEEDS cured their away-day blues in the Sky Bet Championship with a polished 3-0 win at Cardiff yesterday.

Patrick Bamford and Daniel James scored first-half goals and Georginio Rutter added a late third with Leeds' control over the 90 minutes almost absolute.

Leeds even had the luxury of missing a late penalty as Crysencio Summerville hit the post.

It was a welcome victory for Leeds - who remain fourth in the table - after costly league defeats at Sunderland, Preston and West Brom over the past month.

Cardiff entered the contest on the fringes of the play-off race, but, just as against leaders Leicester in their last home game, the Bluebirds never looked like bridging the gap against opponents playing in the Premier League this time last year.

The Welsh side have now won only one of their last six home games and will need to turn that form around to finish in the top six.

Ethan Ampadu swept over an early Summerville corner before the Wales midfielder, deployed at the back due to injuries, played a fine ball into Bamford's path.

Bamford took his time, perhaps too much, and fired wide from an angle.

Leeds did not have to wait long to break the deadlock as Summerville found space down the left after 13 minutes.

His cross did not find its intended target but the ball bobbled back to Bamford, who prodded home while on the floor for his third goal in as many games.

Leeds had chances to double that advantage but Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick denied both Summerville and Bamford.

Cardiff briefly stirred as Kion Etete failed to chip the ball over the head of Illan Meslier with the Leeds goalkeeper out of his penalty area.

Karlan Grant's long-range drive also lacked composure, and Leeds soon punished their hosts.

Glen Kamara dispossessed Manolis Siopis after 31 minutes and drove forward towards the Cardiff box before feeding Summerville.

The Dutchman's deflected shot fell to James, who tapped home into an empty net.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Dan James celebrates after doubling Leeds' advantage at Cardiff.Dan James celebrates after doubling Leeds' advantage at Cardiff. (Image: PA.)

Alnwick made another smart from Rutter as Leeds began to get completely on top, and it was more of the same at the start of the second period.

Summerville twice drove shots wide and James looped an effort on to the Cardiff crossbar.

Alnwick pushed Rutter's chip over the top before Summerville missed his spot-kick after Mark McGuinness had bundled over Rutter.

But Leeds added a third goal on 88 minutes from a rapid breakaway, as Rutter hammered home.