Daniel Farke could not hide his delight as Leeds deservedly beat Preston 2-1 at a raucous Elland Road to return to the Championship summit.
Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a dipping right-footed shot from 18 yards which flew into the far corner.
Two minutes later, Preston equalised with a superb strike from Kaine Kesler-Hayden but Leeds soon restored their advantage when Solomon crossed from the left and Jayden Bogle fired home.
Bogle’s 13th-minute winner – his sixth since joining Leeds from Sheffield United last summer – drew Farke’s men level on points with Burnley but above them on points difference.
Farke said: “It feels pretty good after an exhausting week with two difficult away games and then this complicated game at home to Preston.
“It was a priceless three points for us and a really good performance.
“We could have made our lives easier by taking a few more of our chances.
“It must have been definitely been one of the highest expected goals in a game for us during the whole season.
“Normally we should have scored six or seven today but nevertheless it was a priceless three points and it feels pretty good.
“We were on it today and the fire was burning – we started on the front foot and they equalised but it didn’t disturb us and we scored a fantastic second goal.”
Significantly, Leeds are now five points ahead of Chris Wilder’s faltering third-placed Blades, who slipped to a third successive defeat after losing 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle.
The scoreline from Home Park filtered through at Elland Road and Leeds boss Farke admitted: “You could sense the reaction of our supporters.
“I didn’t know the scoreline but was aware it could be important.
“I think it led to a situation when we were all a little bit more on it and everyone in the stadium could sense ‘come on, we need to win these three points’ but I didn’t want to be over-excited.
“I liked the balance – the fire was burning but we played with fire in the heart and cool in the head so that’s always a good blend. It was a tight result but a top performance.”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom took heart from his side’s performance and believes his former club Leeds will now take some stopping in the automatic promotion race.
Heckingbottom said: “Overall, I was delighted with the effort and the commitment from the players, but Leeds had the better chances, let’s be fair.
“I enjoyed watching the second half, especially when it gets open, you know you’re going to give a bit of space away to them and they’ve got really good players.
“But we were brave, we kept trying to pass the ball, we just couldn’t create the chances that they created.
“Leeds will take some stopping now and they have the bonus of Burnley and Sheffield United playing each other on Easter Monday.
“I said to Daniel as we were walking off the pitch ‘if you’re a Leeds manager or fan, you’ve got to be delighted about that fixture which is coming off’.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans