Good Morning. It's Tuesday 23rd April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Summerville back to his best in seven goal thrillerLeeds bought an end to Middlesbrough's nine game unbeaten run last night, edging a seven goal thriller at the Riverside Stadium. In a thoroughly open and entertaining encounter (for the neutral) where attack became the best form of defence and challenges were plentiful, Leeds just about justified their three points, though had to come from behind to get the job done.
Three goals in the opening 18 minutes gave fans a taster of what was on offer, and from a Leeds perspective, they weren't disappointed! Summerville netted his 19th goal of the season, from the penalty spot (14 mins) after Rutter was bundled to the floor; cancelling out Jones' earlier strike. Five minutes later, there were jubilant scenes in the South-East corner of the ground, when Bamford ghosted into the hosts six yard box, and bundled Firpo's cross over the line.
The visitors exhilaration didn't last for long. Goal machine Latte Lath was given far too much freedom by Ampadu on the edge of the area, levelling up on the half hour mark. Once again Leeds came back, this time with Gnonto, cleverly lifting the ball over Dieng after being sent clear by Summerville (39mins), sending the visitors 3-2 ahead at half time. Leeds extended their lead against the run of play on the hour mark, with Summerville once again doing the damage. Surrounded by five defenders, the Dutch destroyer was able to bend his effort into the far corner of the net, leaving Dieng planted to the spot.
Leeds needed their two goal buffer, and never looked comfortable at the back. Boro's constant pressure paid dividends when Latte Lath pulled one back with three minutes on the clock, but came too late to get anything out of the game.
Farke: We were at our best level attacking wiseSpeaking after the game, Leeds boss Daniel Farke was full of praise for both sides for putting on a great advertisement for Championship football, but reserved special appreciation for his sides 'steel and resilience to grind it out'. Whilst describing his young side as naive, and admitted they gave the ball away far too often. With just 33% possession and 76% pass accuracy, their game play at times could be considered sloppy, but their 'offensive quality' up front made a huge difference last night.
He praised their mentality after coming back after going behind, but was most pleased with Leeds finishing, admitting 'we were at our best level attacking wise'. Farke said...
I think first of all it was a good advertisement for Championship football and all the supporters enjoyed the game between two good sides who really went for it and wanted to win and massive compliments to the lads to win this. The game started in the worst possible way for us and it was really unlucky and disappointing, a deflected pass and they scored. Middlesbrough played with freedom and it was more or less their last highlight and they could go for it and were 1-0 up early on and the whole stadium was buzzing versus Leeds United.
With some many young players, to show such a reaction and create so many chances and score fantastic goals was great. At times, we had were a bit naive and it was a bit of a basketball game and we lost the ball unnecessarily in our half. But compliments to Middlesbrough, it was a fantastic performance.
We showed a great mentality to go 3-2 up at half-time. It was important to calm them down and their nerves down against the ball and work a bit more on our structure against the bar and we controlled the game more with the ball in the second half. They had more possession, but we had chances on the counterattack and scored a goal and had chances to bury the game.
Then it’s football and the Championship. Out of one long ball, they scored to make it 3-4 and it was a tight game again from a long ball and a crazy game of football for the last minutes and their keeper was in our box more than theirs. It was a great mentality and the stadium was awake and you feel the pressure and you want to win the game that much and some players were there with knocks on the pitch and it was difficult.
We had to show some steel and resilience to grind it out and we did. “Many compliments for the hard mentality and character of our players and offensive quality. At times, it was a bit wild. But I was happy with the whole team. I am happy as we were at our best level attacking wise.
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