Leeds boss Daniel Farke said the manner of his side’s victory over Sky Bet promotion rivals Sunderland was “the best you can have in football”.
Substitute Pascal Struijk headed home a stoppage-time winner, having earlier cancelled out Wilson Isidor’s first-half opener for Sunderland with a 78th-minute equaliser, to snatch a 2-1 win for Leeds at Elland Road.
Leeds returned to the top of the table, two points above Sheffield United and seven clear of third-placed Burnley, after extending their unbeaten league run to 15 matches.

Farke said: “These are the best wins you can have. Seven-nil and 4-0, everything easy, that’s nice, but this type of win, two really good sides against each other and a tight game.
“You have to fight and grind and dig in and, in the end, a deserved win. But the last second of the game – these types of wins are the best wins you can have in football.
“They’re the best wins for the supporters, the whole group, the staff and the players.
“These are the biggest emotions, priceless points, exactly in this manner, and for that, yes it’s a great night for everyone connected with Leeds United.”
🔝 How crucial could that win be for @LUFC?#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/IR841WNg7r
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 17, 2025
Farke’s side have won 13 of their last 14 league games at Elland Road and will now look to give their title hopes a further boost next Monday against the Blades at Bramall Lane.
But the German head coach is facing a touchline ban for the top-of-the-table clash after being booked for running on to the pitch while celebrating Struijk’s last-gasp winner.
“In 17 years as a manager in professional football before this season I had exactly one yellow card. I’ve never been sent off and I’m pretty proud of this,” Farke added.
“If I miss the game at Bramall Lane on Monday due to a goal celebration in the 95th minute, then I have to take it.
👊 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃! pic.twitter.com/tcv3dqNKb8
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 17, 2025
“But I’m not sure in the spirit of the game if it would be fair. If the yellow card was for me, and if it’s right to give me one in such a situation, then I will accept the rules, of course. I just doubt it’s in the spirit of the game.”
Sunderland were good value for their interval lead and appeared on course to cut the gap on Leeds to four points before Struijk’s late intervention.
The Black Cats are now eight points adrift of the top two after their eight-game unbeaten league run was halted, but head coach Regis Le Bris said he was proud of his players.
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 17, 2025
The Frenchman said: “I think it was fair for us to score the goal and to be leading at half-time.
“I thought the second half was more difficult because they built strong momentum and we didn’t find the solution to break their dynamic.
“With the crowd, the energy of the stadium – it was always increasing and even with our subs, we didn’t find the solution to change this energy.”
[(SV Darmstadt 98) Strength]: 1. SV Darmstadt 98 finished 12th in the 2. Bundesliga last season and successfully avoided relegation. Facing the relegated team, VfL Bochum, they are eager to grab points in this home game.2. In the summer window, SV Darmstadt 98 signed forwards Serhat-Semih Guler, Bartosz Bialek, and Yosuke Furukawa, midfielders Hiroki Akiyama and Marco Richter, defenders Leon Klass...
[(Sarpsborg 08 FF) Strength]: 1. Daniel Karlsbakk scored 3 goals in the last 2 games, showing decent performances.2. Sarpsborg 08 FF scored 2 goals in both the previous matches, revealing impressive offense.3. Sarpsborg 08 FF were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the previous 4 home games, showing reliable home strength.[(Sarpsborg 08 FF) Neutral]: 1. Sarpsborg 08 FF are now 8th with 22 points ...
[(SC Paderborn 07) Strength]: 1. SC Paderborn 07 failed to enter the promotion play-offs due to a 3-point deficit last season, but their overall performances were commendable.2. SC Paderborn 07 were unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws in 3 warm-up matches lately, revealing stable form.3. SC Paderborn 07 scored 56 goals in 34 league games last season, boasting outstanding offense and reliable scoring a...
[(KuPS) Strength]: 1. KuPS are 4th in the table. They were just eliminated in the Champions League qualification and urgently need a win to boost their morale, indicating strong motivation in this game.2. KuPS won 4 home games in a row, showing strong home strength.3. KuPS have the upper hand with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in the last 10 encounters between both sides.[(KuPS) Neutral]: 1. KuPS ...
[(Kataller Toyama) Strength]: 1. The two sides have met three times in total, with Kataller Toyama achieving a record of one win and two draws, holding the upper hand.2. Kataller Toyama won 3 of their last 4 games in AH.[(Kataller Toyama) Neutral]: 1. The new head coach of Kataller Toyama, Ryo Adachi, has been in office for exactly two months. He shoulders the heavy responsibility of leading the t...
[(Karlsruher SC) Strength]: 1. Karlsruher SC's starting striker Budu Zivzivadze transferred to 1. FC Heidenheim in the offseason. The team's offensive burden will now fall on their starting forward Marvin Wanitzek.2. Karlsruher SC finished 8th in the league last season, but they were less than 10 points behind the top team, indicating that the team boast some potential to be a league spoiler.3. Ka...
[(Columbus Crew) Strength]: 1. Columbus Crew are in the top half of the MLS and hope to secure a good result in the Leagues Cup to enhance the team's honor and influence. The competition also provides an opportunity to train the squad and accumulate experience and confidence for future league and other matches, demonstrating strong winning motivation.2. Columbus Crew's outstanding forward Diego Ro...
[(Jubilo Iwata) Strength]: 1. Jubilo Iwata currently have 38 points and rank 7th in the league table. The team are just one step away from the promotion play-off zone and have a strong intention to grab points.2. Jubilo Iwata recently defeated Consadole Sapporo 5-1 in their last game, ending their losing streak and returning to the winning track.3. Jubilo Iwata have achieved a record of 8 wins, 1 ...
[(Tokushima Vortis) Strength]: 1. Tokushima Vortis are fighting for a direct promotion spot. Facing the bottom team of the league, Ehime FC, they are undoubtedly motivated to take points.2. Tokushima Vortis received 5 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses at home this season so far, with a win rate of 45.5%.[(Tokushima Vortis) Neutral]: 1. Tokushima Vortis conceded 5 goals in the last 5 games, demonstrating...
[(Oita Trinita) Neutral]: 1. Oita Trinita received 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the last 5 home games, with a win rate of 40%.2. Both sides only met once and got a draw, showing comparable mentalities.3. Oita Trinita ended 3 of the previous 4 games with UNDERs in O/U, with a declining OVER rate lately.[(Oita Trinita) Weakness]: 1. Oita Trinita lost 2-0 to FC Tokyo in the last Emperor's Cup game...


- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 3 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 4 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 5 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 6 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 7 Barcelona Reach 'Total Agreement' on Jules Kounde Contract Extension
- 8 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 9 Man Utd joined the race to sign Douglas
- 10 Daily Laugh - Sesko & Man Utd in a nutshell