Championship news: Chaotic Yorkshire Derby win sends Leeds Utd top of the league
Anything other than a win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday would have been a catastrophic blow to Leeds United’s automatic promotion push.
However, a scrappy goal from Dan James in the second minute was enough to separate the sides and ensure the three points headed to West Yorkshire.
The final scoreline is somewhat deceiving, with both sides having enjoyed spells of dominance as the momentum shifted and opportunities to add to the scoring were squandered before Leeds held on to claim arguably their biggest win of the season.
After the Whites had dropped out of the top two thanks to a draw at Luton Town on the weekend, a result which massively increased tension in the fanbase, Tuesday’s win coupled with results elsewhere propelled Daniel Farke and his men back to the top of the table.
Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher reports on a big night in the Championship for the new league leaders.
Questionable officiating costs Leeds two goals
After being criticised for his lack of attacking output in recent weeks, Manor Solomon started like a house on fire, fizzing an early left-footed cross into the corridor of uncertainty to find James.
The Welshman held off the challenge from Samuel Iling Junior to bundle the ball over the line and open the scoring within the first two minutes.
Solomon should have been credited with another assist soon after, when he whipped in a fantastic ball that was prodded home by Ao Tanaka.
However, the Japanese international was inexplicably ruled offside despite being at least half a yard behind the defender.
Coincidentally, the linesman who ruled that goal out is the same linesman who disallowed goals for Leeds against Millwall and Coventry City that should have stood.
Substitute Patrick Bamford then looked to have killed the game off after finishing a slick United counter-attack in the 75th minute, but he was also judged to be offside in another incorrect refereeing decision.
The ongoing repetition of officiating mistakes at Leeds’ expense understandably led manager Farke to be frustrated post-match.
After all, if the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho and Delano Burgzorg finished even one of their many chances last night, the conversation around the match would have been very different.
Bamford to lead the line against Preston?
The fact that there is a debate over Bamford starting up front for Leeds in a promotion run-in in 2025 is more of a damning indictment of the club’s recruitment than it is a criticism of the man.
Bamford has barely featured for the Whites this season due to injury, but his recent cameos against Luton and Middlesbrough have given the manager a dilemma when it comes to who starts up top against Preston on Saturday.
The Englishman certainly provides more of a physical presence when compared to his counterpart Joel Piroe, who has now failed to score in seven matches.
Despite being on the pitch for just 17 minutes against Middlesbrough, Bamford won two aerial duels – Piroe managed zero – and allowed Leeds to hold up the ball more in the final third.
His movement also looked sharp, especially considering his lengthy spell on the sidelines, plus he took his only chance of the game well and should have been rewarded with a goal.
In contrast, Piroe has struggled to assert himself and get the better of physical confrontations with defenders throughout his time at Leeds.
The Dutchman has been at his best as a sub this season, when the game is stretched and there is more space to operate in and show off his lethal finishing.
It must be said that the technique is definitely there for Piroe – he just doesn’t have the athleticism, and becoming an impact sub could be what he needs to get back on the scoresheet.
Building momentum ahead of the run-in
A game at Elland Road against a mid-table side like Preston, who are unlikely to drop into the relegation zone nor creep into the play-offs at this point, is a perfect game to have on paper.
Hopefully, Leeds’ recent wobble is now firmly in the rear-view mirror and we can start to see more controlled performances instead of the frantic fare of late.
If the Whites want to maintain top spot this weekend, they need to play with intensity and not allow yet another 12:30 kick-off to turn into a flat, mundane performance.
And with Sheffield United seemingly feeling the pressure of the play-off race, it is up to Farke and his men to step up.
MORE FROM NIALL TOGHER: Leeds Utd news: Daniel Farke’s dilemma – Should Junior Firpo stay or go?
