Good Morning. It's Wednesday 11th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Comfortable in the end as Leeds go top Leeds solidified their position at the Championship summit with an impressive 3-1 victory against Middlesbrough, marking their eighth consecutive home win of the season. The Whites had already lost to the Smoggies this season, a 3-0 home defeat back in August, but if Farke's side were apprehensive, they certainly didn't show it on the pitch. They were far more creative than their North Yorkshire neighbours, and used their wide men to great effect to constantly move the visitors out of position, and keep them penned in to their own half for much of the game. There was an element of luck about Leeds opener on 14 minutes. Byram and James combined well down the right channel. As James drove the ball low and hard across the six yard area, panic set in, and Dieng's attempted clearance ricocheted off Gnonto, and into the back of the net. He could have doubled his tally late on in the first half, only for the Senegalese International to make amends with a smart save to his right. The dynamics of the match shifted on 54 minutes when Max Wober inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a well executed Boro corner. Despite this wobble, Leeds held firm, and retook the lead 20 minutes later with an exquisite strike from James (his fourth of the season). The Welsh International showed great poise and control to lift the ball over Dieng and find the corner. Aaronson added the cherry on the cake with a third in stoppage time, as the visitors went aimlessly in search of an equaliser. Leeds deserved their victory over one of the Championship's most in-form teams, and have created a three point buffer between themselves and third place. Sunderland and Burnley can't stop drawing at the moment, so if the Whites can improve their away form, they could find themselves clear of the chasing pack come the new year. please log in to view this image Contrasting views from the Managers after Leeds win During their post match interviews, both Managers shared contrasting views of the game with Michael Carrick rueing his side not turning the game in their favour after equalising, and Daniel Farke congratulating his side after a well deserved victory. In truth, whilst a 3-1 score-line may flatter them slightly, they were good value for the win Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke "I think it was a well deserved win, in the end. But I want to congratulate Middlesbrough on a really good away performance. They were positive and that makes our win a bit sweeter because we played against an excellent side. "It was a really good first half, but the feeling in such a tight game was that we wasted too many chances. After such an unlikely equaliser, it is difficult to turn the tide again but that is what we did and many compliments to the players." Middlesbrough Manager Michael Carrick "I'm disappointed with the result, but the game was right in the balance really, second half. "In some ways, it was where we wanted it. We had a really good spell and it felt like we could go on and win the game. Obviously we did loads of good things in coming back into the game and had wrestled back control after going a goal down. "Over the last two games, we've played against players who've played a lot of Premier League football and our lads can take a lot of confidence from how we've gone about it." please log in to view this image
Morning all It was a closer game than the score line suggests but we still edged it against a very good side, we had 17 shots with 5 classed as on target compared to their 6 and two on target, possession fairly equal, it was a good game. When it went to 1-1 we could have easily froze and dropped points, it reminded me of Bielsa scoring a goal at the death when we were leading by 1, glad we never sat back too much
Morning all. I passed out last night with jet lag, so only managed to see us go 1 up. Just watched the extended highlights and wow, what a performance against a top side. Great advert for the Championship and also great that a team to play us instead of parking the bus. James's finish was superb!
Comfortable in the end as Leeds go top My nerves at the end and the extra unplanned pint of Guinness to settle them suggests I don’t fully agree with the comment above
Just got word Im in the 5000 - 6000 bracket on season ticket waiting list. Any travelling Ill be doing will be apparently in an urn at that rate
Good afternoon everyone Another great result last night, so pleased that Meslier had a descent game and pulled off a couple of great saves by all accounts, credit where credit is due as i slate him enough. This club will complete a merry xmas and a great new year for me at this rate. As for the Dan james goal what a cracker, and as for Tanaka from the bits i have seen, will take to PL football like a duck to water. Happy days atm
It may be a controversial opinion but I think it would have been a travesty if Boro had got anything last night. We created countless great chances but they hardly got a sniff. The way we play with our full backs pushed up and no natural DM we will always be vulnerable but they never really cut us open. I know I've been beating on Joseph and I really hope the lad learns his trade but if he'd committed himself in the box in the first half he'd have been on the end of a few great crosses. I think he needs to bumble one in off his knee or arse to get him started but he's just to tentative. He's got to bully the defenders. When Piroe came on he immediately found space, maybe it was because the defence were tiring but Piroe isn't as quick as Joseph. Great win. I really hope that's the best we're going to face because I thought we pissed it.
Not controversial for me, thoroughly agree, all teams get some chances in a game, they moved it well enough without really creating anything but we had dropped a gear.
forgot completely about this. Some teams just have a season where everything goes there way. Millwall hit the post twice have more of the game, but blunts win 1-0. When we play Millwall, we have double possession double shots and they score with their only attempt on target.
