Leeds manager Daniel Farke felt his side’s 1-0 victory at Championship leaders Leicester was a reward for a performance of “bravery and courage”.
Georginio Rutter’s 57th-minute goal was enough to make sure Leeds closed in on Ipswich in second place, and condemn Leicester to their second home defeat of the season.
Farke praised an impressive display from Leeds, who took the game to Leicester early on and produced what was a statement win at the King Power Stadium.
“We were brave and went for it with courage as a side who have been unbeaten for so long,” said the Leeds manager.
“It was a complex performance on the field, but we stayed disciplined and kept them to areas where they couldn’t hurt us. I believed in my players and that they could dominate the game.
“You could see the goal coming in the second half, it was a deserved win, we had the better chances.
“The only thing Georginio needed to improve was his goal tally. This was a decisive goal and a sign of quality.”
Farke highlighted the fact that Leeds’ players celebrated with goalkeeper Illan Meslier after the game.
The Frenchman produced a superb save to keep out a stoppage-time header from Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
“If you want to achieve something special, you need unity,” added the German coach. “That is why the players celebrated Illan’s save. He is a diamond, if he continues to produce performances like this we are definitely on the right path, I think he is the best keeper in the league.
“I also felt that Glen Kamara had his best game in a white shirt.
“For us at the moment, the table is not important. Whatever the outcome here, everything would be possible for both sides. But it was a massive three points for us, a great boost. It was a good night for us.
“But Leicester are such a good side, I’m sure at the end of the season they’ll be in a top position.”
Farke admitted he was “disappointed” to be shown a yellow card for protesting against referee Dean Whitestone’s decision to wave away appeals after Crysencio Summerville went down under pressure from Ricardo Pereira.
“It was only my second yellow card in over 200 games in English football,” he said. “I was a bit disappointed, for me it was definitely a foul. Was it a penalty or a free-kick and a red card. He didn’t whistle anything, it was a decisive moment.”
Leicester had been aiming for a 10th successive win, but they remain 11 points clear of Leeds in third spot.
Abdul Fatawu hit the crossbar in the first half, but Leicester managed only one effort on target during the game.
“I’m happy with the performance, we expected this match in terms of intensity,” said Leicester manager Enzo Maresca.
“They are a very good team, dangerous and good technically. We cannot win all the games. Overall I am happy, defeat is part of the process. It’s a case of what we can do better, and for sure, we can do some things better.
“I felt we deserved something more from the game.”
Maresca said he felt that, while Leeds took the three points, it had been Sunderland in the previous home game that had offered more in the way of tempo.
“Sunderland were more aggressive and more consistent,” said the Italian. “They started in minute one and finished in minute 95.
“Leeds started with intensity in the first half, and they dropped in the last minutes. We were in control for the last half hour. For me, the team that showed more intensity was Sunderland.”
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