Daniel Farke saw two sides to his Leeds team in a pulsating 3-2 win over 10-man Middlesbrough at Elland Road which keeps them firmly in the Championship’s automatic promotion hunt.
Leeds attacked at pace in a frantic first half which saw all five goals scored, but Farke was just as pleased with the way they ground out the victory in the second period.
Farke admitted: “As a manager I liked the second half where we didn’t make mistakes. It was good game management.
“I can see why we are driven by our emotions and sometimes play the risky pass when we should take another option.”
Farke was delighted with his side’s showing against a team he rates as genuine play-off contenders.
He said: “I expected a great game against a tough side, and I judge them as one of our main competitors for the top six.
“It was important to be over-aggressive and fully committed (in the first half) against Middlesbrough, otherwise you are punished.
“The goals were a sign of how desperate we were and how we wanted to win.
“When you give moments away against a side like Middlesbrough, they will punish mistakes. Their first goal we opened up, and the second goal we were not fully switched on.
“Every fan who enjoys football must have enjoyed this game.”
Middlesbrough claimed an early lead as Emmanuel Latte Lath fired home at the near post, cutting in from the left after being set up by Alex Bangura.
Leeds hit back with two quickfire headers from Dan James and Crysencio Summerville as the visitors paid the price for being beaten in the air by two of the home side’s smallest players.
James got on the end of Sam Byram’s deep cross despite the attentions of two defenders and Summerville finished a cross from Archie Gray at the opposite post.
Middlesbrough lost experienced defender Paddy McNair to injury just after the half hour and his replacement, Matt Clarke, gave away the penalty from which Leeds scored their third.
Clarke used his arm to trip striker Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe scored from the spot.
Latte Lath reduced the arrears with a header from Dan Barlaser’s corner late in the first half but neither side were able to find the target after the break.
Boro goalkeeper Seny Dieng denied Patrick Bamford and Piroe with a late double save and Boro’s Sammy Silvera hit a post as the visitors played the final 30 minutes with 10 men following Anfernee Dijksteel’s second yellow card.
A disappointed Michael Carrick admitted his side could have got a point from the game had they taken their chances.
He said: “Disappointed is my overriding feeling. Not with the boys and their performance but with the result.
“We were up against it. We had issues that we need to fix a bit but in general there were loads of good things from it and we let it slip and should have got something from the game.
“We came here and played one of the top teams in the league and gave as good as we got. They look dangerous and can score goals.
“It’s something we have done pretty well lately – defend our goal. We need to do something about it (conceding away from home) to be where we want to be at the end of the season.
“We picked up a couple of setbacks and we had big moments in the game, but we were right in there and we should have got more from the game.”
Carrick admitted allowing Leeds chances in a full Elland Road made it harder for his side.
“In a stadium like this and a team like this they will have moments. In games like this that split second of thinking can be the difference,” he said.
“We were playing against a good team, and you’ve got to respect what they can do.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Atletico are 𝐎𝐔𝐓 of the Club World Cup Garnacho wearing Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa shirt and post on social media If you know, you know Unsuccessful hate watch The State of Brazilian Football in a Nutshell.. Pep Guardiola's Man City could face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — as things stand! Shooters shoot Ple...
Spurs agree shock £5m deal to sign Japan star Kota TakaiPer Alasdair Gold of Football.London, Spurs have agreed a £5m deal to sign Kota Takei from Kawasaki, with the defender set to play in Thomas Frank's first team next season. The 20-year-old was identified by technical director Johan Lange, and is seen as having the potential to grow in the first-team like Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar S...
Manchester United have returned to Brentford with a renewed offer for winger Bryan Mbeumo, sources have told ESPN.United have indicated they're willing to pay a fee in excess of £60 million -- with a higher proportion due up front -- and closer to Brentford's valuation, around £65 million, for the Cameroon international.Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for weeks and s...
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star William Gallas believes Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho will return to the Premier League - but on one condition.WHAT HAPPENED?Mourinho is currently halfway through his two-year contract at Fenerbahce, and last month he said he expects to stay with the Turkish giants next season. Last October, the Portuguese did say he was "ready" to head back to the English top-fligh...
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ‘weighing up’ a blockbuster swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho. Talks between the two Premier League clubs are yet to commence but they are said to be considering whether Garnacho and Blues forward Christopher Nkunku could move in opposing directions.Ruben Amorim is widely reported to have decided that the Argentina international can fin...
Tottenham to trigger Eze's 368M release clause as Frank prepares for Son exitTottenham boss Thomas Frank is to bid for Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze as reports suggest captain Heung-min Son is leaving.Eze has enjoyed the best season of his career by helping the Eagles win the FA Cup and potentially get a place in Europe if owner John Textor can work out a deal with UEFA. According to The Mirr...
Donnarumma reveals PSG contract talksGigio Donnarumma has confirmed new contract talks with PSG.The Italy goalkeeper has a deal to 2026 with the European champions and been linked with a move away in recent days.But speaking to reporters at the Club World Cup, Donnarumma has intimated he expects to soon agree a new deal with the Parisians.The 26 year-old said: "We're moving forward, we're moving f...
Fenerbahce making 'serious progress' in Jadon Sancho talksJadon Sancho could be set to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce as Jose Mourinho's side make 'serious progress' in talks with the winger.The 25-year-old has no future at Man United having spent the last 18-months on loan with Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.Italian giants Napoli and Juventus have been heavily linked with a move for Sancho but he ...
Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Federico Chiesa replacementLiverpool are reportedly prioritizing a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with Federico Chiesa likely to return to Italy in the summer transfer window.Chiesa, 27, is increasingly likely to leave Liverpool after just one season with several clubs across Italy interested in bringing him home.Napoli, Roma, Inter, AC Milan and Atalanta have al...
Man United 'make contact' with Chelsea over 352 million flopMan United have reportedly made contact with Chelsea over a potential move for forward Christopher Nkunku in the summer transfer window.The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca, playing primarily in their Europa Conference League campaign.According to L'9quipe, Man United are interested in of...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car
- 9 Stunning influencer reveals she’s had death threats
- 10 Premier League fixtures: Man City learn dates for 2025-26 campaign