Good Morning. It's Monday 6th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds close gap on top two after thrilling winLeeds closed the gap on leaders Leicester City to eleven points, after a stunning victory at the King Power Stadium on Friday evening.
The Foxes had accumulated 39 out of a possible 42 points up until three nights ago; and were on course for an unprecedented tenth straight victory in a row. However, they came up against a Leeds team, that more than matched them in all departments, in what turned out to be a great advert for Championship football, topped off with a dignified and respectful tribute to our war dead as 'The Last Post' echoed eerily around the King Power Stadium.
Piroe had an early opportunity to put he Whites ahead after clever work from Rutter, but blazed his effort wide from the edge of the area. At the other end Mavididi and Fatawu were creating all kind of problems for the visitors from wide positions, causing Leeds to double team them as the match progressed.
Fatawu went close, late on in the first half after skipping past Byram (twice), before cutting inside, and unleashing a thunderbolt that crashed against the woodwork. The crossbar was still vibrating when fifteen seconds later Crysencio Summerville went down in the opposition penalty box, only for the referee to wave play on.
Piroe forced a diving save from Hermansen early on in the second half, followed minutes later by some last ditch tackling to deny Rutter, as he tried to work his way through a sea of blue. The only goal of the game came in the 58th minute. Dan James' out-swinging corner looked to be glancing in, off the head of Byram, only to be denied by a stunning reflex save from Hermansen. The young Dane was powerless to prevent the rebound, bundled home by Rutter from close distance.
There was late drama when Dewsbury-Hall rose far too easily above Ayling to nod home from close distance, only for Meslier to claw the ball off the goal-line and away to safety. It would have been cruel on the Whites, especially as it would have been their first shot on target all night.
Farke praises players resolve in stunning victoryLeeds Manager Daniel Farke was quick to praise his players' resolve after defeating top of the table Leicester City in their own backyard on Friday evening.
Although the hosts dominated possession 66% - 34%, Leeds carved out by far the most opportunities with 6 shots on target, as apposed to Dewsbury-Hall's late effort, which forced a World class save from Meslier.
Importantly, as Farke points out, Leeds had to organised, and not allow their opponents any space, where they could create chances:-
To be brave, to play football with courage and to go for it with confidence was the key today.When you want to get something in such a game you have to be brave and you have to make sure that you have periods in the game where you bring the game to their half, you press them really high with bravery and when you're good in possession you hurt them with your possession.
You can't have these periods over 90 minutes, there are also periods where you have to be structured and allow them possession in areas where they can't hurt you and don't offer them any spaces where they can create chances.
So to bring such a complex performance on the pitch, on the one hand to be brave and our high pressing, to be good with the ball and dominate, but when they are in possession - because they are so good with the ball - to stay disciplined, to stay well structured and have the possession more or less in their own half where they can't hurt you, I think that was definitely the key today.
Odds shorten on Leeds return to top flightElsewhere in the Championship, Southampton, West Brom and Preston kept the pressure up on the Whites, whilst second place Ipswich did well to recover from a two-nil deficit to draw against Wayne Rooney's Birmingham City. It means Leeds are five points away from second place, though the Tractor Boys have a significantly better goal difference (14 v 10).
Betting giants Bet365 have slashed Leeds' odds of automatic promotion after the results at the weekend. Leicester City are obviously still favourites 1/6, though Ipswich Town's odds have widened slightly to 4/5, with Leeds gaining momentum in third 6/5. There's a big gap, with Southampton in fourth on 5/1, followed by West Brom 20/1, Boro 20/1 and Cardiff 33/1.
Will Leeds regret Greenwood release clauseWith three goals in his last five games, Sam Greenwood is fast becoming a fans favourite at the Riverside Stadium. The 21yo, a 2020 purchase from Arsenal for a fee understood to be as much as £3m after add-ons, was allowed to join Middlesbrough on a season long loan with a clause in the contract allowing them to make the deal permanent 'on the cheap.
According to media sources, Boro have the option to buy the former England U21 Striker for £1.5m on a try before you buy basis. You'd think, after being hurt so badly during the Summer, that the club would be a little more careful with their paperwork.
