Good Morning. It's Monday 22nd January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Piroe's stoppage time winner lifts roof off ERJoel Piroe's stoppage time spot kick winner, lifted the roof off Elland Road, as Leeds came from behind and avenged the wrongs of Boxing Day.
Not four weeks, Liam Millar's late strike had knocked the stuffing out of ten man Leeds. Their antics had led to Meslier's earlier dismissal, and the Lilywhites took full advantage.
Their shenanigans had a detrimental effect on proceedings this time around too; whether they were kicking lumps out of the Leeds players, or slowing the game down to levels only usually associated with Ketamine - it was painful to watch.
Along with the JFK assassination and disappearance of Lord Lucan, conspiracy theorists will looks on Sundays events, asking themselves how Preston escaped with only six yellow cards?
Will Keane had put Preston ahead on two minutes after Millar's mishit effort fell nicely for the former Manchester Utd apprentice. When Dan James restored order three minutes later, heading home Junior Firpo's peach of a cross, many envisaged a goal fest, similar to the ten goal thriller these two sides had put on nearly fourteen years ago, but alas - it was not meant to be.
Just as we thought the game was heading for stalemate, Ryan Ledson handled in the area, leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot. Ironically, the biggest cheers from the crowd was not when Piroe converted, but when Bamford handed him the ball - not that I'm suggesting the ER faithful are fickle!
Lowe felt robbed by penalty decisionSpeaking after the game, Preston Manager Ryan Lowe slated referee David Webb, stating his decisions all game had baffled him, and the penalty decision had robbed his players of a point!
"Gutted is an understatement. I'm gutted for the boys because I thought they were terrific in everything they did. I don't think anybody expected us to come here and go toe-to-toe with them.
"The decisions from the referee baffled me all game. To be done by a penalty decision when the ball hit his body and then rolled up and hit his arm in a natural position... it's tough to take but that's football.
"I said to the lads to be proud. We've got to use this as a motivation for next weekend to continue. "We knew we had to be fast out of the traps and get the ball in behind. I thought it was a great game and a fair result would have been 1-1."
Farke interested in Godfrey reunionReports from Italy suggest Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in Ben Godfrey.
The 26yo worked under Daniel Farke at Norwich before joining the Toffee's in a £25m deal in 2020. He has slipped down the pecking order since fracturing his fibula early on last season. The arrival of James Tarkowski has restricted the centre back to just 91 minutes of game time this season.
AC Milan and Sheffield Utd have also shown an interest in the former York City apprentice, though his association with Farke may give Leeds the edge!
Downing joins coaching teamFormer Liverpool and England star Stewart Downing has joined the coaching team at Thorp Arch.
Downing will work as deputy for Scott Gardner whose position as first team coach with the U21's has just been made permanent. The 39yo will work alongside fellow coaches Michal Pudjak and Chris Elliott. He retired from professional football in 2021, and has been working with the Middlesbrough academy players since 2022.
