One of Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing Leeds United players recalled a quote they used to make about the great Arjen Robben as the team breezed out of the starting blocks against Preston North End.

It was a completely different challenge to halt the inevitable, even when you knew what was coming.

Former winger Arjen Robben was a master of the cut-inside-and-shoot method, having played for Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and the Netherlands. An athlete who transformed from a “one-trick pony” into a stallion forward who could frighten even the best full-backs in the world with his signature finisher move.

A few months ago, the Israeli media compared Manor Solomon to Luis Diaz of Liverpool rather than Arjen Robben. Diaz is another who has mastered his own “Plan A.” And maybe a more accurate analogy considering that Liverpool’s number seven like to slide in onto his right like Solomon, in contrast to Robben’s left foot.

Roy Weinberg wrote for Sport5 that “after you go out to [press] Solomon, it may leave him half a step ahead of the defender [with] an opportunity to take advantage of his great explosive power.”

Solomon, a loanee from Tottenham, was perhaps Daniel Farke’s team’s best player as Leeds United dominated into a fourth-minute lead on Saturday lunchtime, overcoming their issues with early kickoffs in the process.

Paul Heckingbottom frustrated as Manor Solomon inspires Leeds United to Preston win

The former manager of Barnsley and Sheffield United said, “We talked about how fast they play.” Generally speaking, we have done a fantastic job defending our box this season.

We talked about what Solomon does when he comes inside. Leeds thought it was too fantastic to stop in that goal. I believe that we ought to put an end to it.

“Then, we scored a fantastic goal. We get back in the game and then Jayden [Meghoma] gets done on the inside. Jayden Bogle gets inside him and it’s a big learning experience for Jayden because, as a full-back, as an outside defender, you can’t ever get beat inside when you’re in a good start position.

“The goals are disappointing.”

Willy Gnonto steps in with Dan James absent for Leeds

However, Heckingbottom concedes that Leeds were deserving winners.

Additionally, on a day when Dan James missed Daniel Farke’s game because of a hamstring injury he sustained against Middlesbrough in the middle of the week, Solomon’s skill and a dynamic performance in a rare start for Willy Gnonto served as a harsh reminder of the caliber of the German’s arsenal.

“When it gets open, you know you’ll give a bit of space away to them but we were brave. We just couldn’t create the chances they did,” Heckingbottom adds.

“The amount of time we said about not letting [Solomon] go inside. [But] he was good. He’s grown into his time here, big threat and a consistent performer.

“Dan James missing today, Gnonto comes in… They’ve got a really good squad and one that is dangerous in that final third.