Daniel Farke can play it down all he likes, but his Leeds side further showed last night that they are the team to topple in the Championship.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder caused a stir at the weekend when he claimed Farke’s men were ‘miles ahead’ of his own promotion hopefuls. But while Farke was quick to rubbish Wilder’s remarks, Leeds proved his rival right on Tuesday night with the way they beat play-off contenders Middlesbrough to return to the Championship summit at the expense of the Blades.
Late goals from Daniel James and Brenden Aaronson sealed their eighth-straight home win after Max Wober’s own goal had cancelled out Willy Gnonto’s early opener. And the Whites are now two points clear of Wilder’s Blades, who have a game in hand at Millwall on Wednesday night, and three ahead of third-placed Burnley, who were surprisingly held at home by Derby.
Increasingly, Leeds look poised for a Premier League return after the pain of last season’s play-off final defeat. Certainly, their supporters are beginning to believe, such is how they ironically sang, ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ at full-time – the tune opposition fans gleefully chant their way whenever they slip up.
‘We would love to bring the joy of promotion to the supporters,’ said Farke. ‘It was a heartbreaking end last season, but we are on a good path and hopefully we can keep going.
‘We played against an excellent side tonight and we fully deserved to win. We wanted to make Middlesbrough suffer and that is what they had to do. I am very happy.’
Daniel Farke’s Leeds showed they are the best the Championship has to offer on Tuesday
Dan James stole the show with an impressive display and goal in his side’s 3-1 victory
The win means Leeds go top of the Championship table in their hunt for promotion this season
Farke also reserved praise for his winger James after the former Manchester United man had a hand in all three goals on his 100th appearance for the club.
‘He is so important for us,’ added the Leeds boss. ‘What he has done for the club is excellent. He is a top-class human and on such a special day for him he chipped in with a special performance. He has achieved a lot already, but promotion would be special in his career.’
The last time Middlesbrough visited Elland Road in August, Leeds were swept aside 3-0. But history never looked like repeating itself on Tueday night, largely because of the brilliance of James.
In 14th minute, Sam Byram sent the Welsh international tearing down the right and his dangerous cross was diverted by Boro centre back George Edmundson – under pressure from Mateo Joseph – towards his goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
While Dieng blocked his defender’s intervention, the grounded Boro No 1’s attempted clearance ricocheted in off the on-rushing Gnonto, who wheeled away in delight at one of the luckiest goals he will ever score.
The lively Italian brought fans to their feet again when he drew a diving stop out of Dieng with a long range strike on the stroke of half time.
At 1-0, however, an air of apprehension swirled around this old ground and Boro came out all guns blazing after the break.
With his team’s first meaningful attempt on goal, Riley McGree won a corner when he stung the palms of Illan Meslier with a fierce left-footed drive. And from Daniel Barlaser’s inswinging set-piece in the 54th minute, Leeds defender Wober flicked into his own net ahead of Neto Borges at the near post.
Michael Carrick’s side stay sixth but their promotion hopes were dealt a blow at Elland Road
Wilfied Gnonto opened the scoring with one of the easiest goals he will score in his career
Brenden Aaronson, meanwhile, wrapped up the points with his strike late into stoppage time
It was the first goal Leeds have conceded at home since October and a bitter blow for Wober, just as he had earned some credit back with fans with his goal against Derby having annoyed them last season by jumping ship on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Moments later, Ben Doak had a chance to give the visitors a shock lead, only for his shot to be smothered by Meslier.
And he was made to pay 16 minutes from time as Leeds sub Joel Prioe played in James, who made up for a miss minutes earlier by lashing into the top left corner with a fine finish.
Aaronson then added gloss to the scoreline in the second minute of stoppage time when he stroked into an empty net from Ao Tanaka’s ball, as an animated Farke punched the air in the delight.
While the result hugely enhanced Leeds’ promotion hopes, Boro’s own ambitions took a hit as a first away defeat since October saw them slip a place to sixth.
But manager Michael Carrick said: ‘I still think we are capable to pick up enough points to be where we want to be. We have to feed off this disappointment and use it as motivation for what is coming round the corner.’
