Good Morning. It's Tuesday 25th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Late show stuns Blades as Leeds go 5 points clear Leeds Utd showcased their own brand of metal last night, coming from behind to stun bitter rivals Sheffield United with three late goals to secure a memorable victory in the city of Steel. They trailed for much of the match to a 14th minute own goal, but unleashed a late barrage of goals, with Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka, and Joel Piroe all finding the target in the final quarter to secure a memorable 3-1 triumph. The victory extends Leeds' remarkable unbeaten run in the Championship to 16 games, a sequence of 11 wins and five draws that stretches back to November; solidifying their Championship dominance this season. They move five points clear of the Blades, but more importantly seven points clear (and a +10 goal difference) of third placed Burnley. The game began with a nervy start for Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who endured a shaky opening ten minutes. First, he fumbled a long throw into the box, recovering just in time to gather at the second attempt. Moments later, amidst claims of being impeded while attempting to punch clear, Meslier was grateful to Ilia Gruev who bravely headed the ball off the line to avert an early Sheffield United opener. However, the Blades' pressure eventually told in the 14th minute. Ben Brereton Diaz delivered a pinpoint cross, and Callum O'Hare executed a sublime flicked header over Meslier. The Leeds goalkeeper, despite his best efforts – pushing the initial header onto the bar – saw the rebound ricochet off Tyrese Campbell and cruelly deflect off his own back and over the line for an own goal. Sheffield United almost doubled their advantage soon after, with O'Hare narrowly failing to connect with another dangerous cross, this time from Harrison Burrows. Firpo was then called upon to make a vital interception, thwarting O'Hare just as he prepared to pounce on a Campbell delivery. Despite being on the back foot, Leeds threatened sporadically. Daniel James squandered a promising opportunity after being played in by Brenden Aaronson, cutting inside but firing his shot high and wide. Leeds' finest moment of the first half arrived seven minutes before the break. Pascal Struijk, returning to the starting XI after his brace in the Sunderland comeback victory, launched a perfect long pass to Manor Solomon on the left side of the box. Solomon skillfully controlled the ball, leaving Harry Clarke and Burrows disoriented, but then shot tamely straight at the goalkeeper instead of squaring the ball to an unmarked Firpo, much to the defender’s visible frustration. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder opted for a tactical switch at halftime, introducing Hamza Choudhury for Harry Clarke. The Blades initially regained control after the restart, with Campbell breaking clear of Joe Rodon, only to be denied by Meslier who bravely slid out to intercept. Leeds attempted to inject fresh impetus into their attack with a double substitution, bringing on Mateo Joseph and Joe Rothwell for Aaronson and Gruev respectively. Souza tested Meslier from distance, but his 25-yard strike was comfortably dealt with. The visitors then had two penalty appeals waved away. James went down under a challenge from Jack Robinson, but the referee deemed it insufficient. Later, a Jayden Bogle cross struck the arm of Burrows, but referee David Webb judged the Sheffield United defender's arm to be in a natural position. As time dwindled, Leeds squandered another clear-cut chance to equalize. Solomon, from 16 yards, volleyed over the bar, compounding his earlier miss. However, football can be a game of fine margins and dramatic shifts. Against the run of play, Leeds found their breakthrough. James, after a frustrating evening, finally delivered a perfect cross, and Firpo rose majestically to power a header past Cooper, igniting scenes of wild jubilation amongst the travelling Leeds supporters. Fueled by the equalizer, Leeds surged forward with renewed vigour. Piroe tested Cooper with a sharp low save, and the Sheffield United goalkeeper was again called into action to deny a powerful effort from Wilfried Gnonto. The momentum had decisively swung in Leeds’ favour, culminating in a stunning late show that cemented their position at the Championship summit and sent a clear message to their promotion rivals. Ampadu out for season Ethan Ampadu is set to undergo knee surgery in the next few days that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. This comes as a significant blow to the Whites who, unlike their adversaries felt it unnecessary to strengthen their squad when given the opportunity to do so last month. His versatility, switching between midfield and defence has saved Daniel Farke from countless selection headaches, and very much reduces their options over their final twelve games. With Wober recovering from surgery, Leeds will prey that Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk stay fit. Josuha Guilavogui is far too slow for defensive duties whilst James Debayo has only played a minute of league game time all season. Similarly, the Welsh International will be missed in midfield. Tanaka, Rothwell and Gruev can hold the fort (with assistance from Guilavogui), but are significantly weakened. Leeds should have enough about them to be able to keep their momentum going without their Captain as long as they do not lose any other crucial first team members. please log in to view this image
That was just mental last night. We hardly ever get the rub of the green, and to secure victories over Sunderland and Sheffield Utd in the manner we did - surely promotion is nailed on...
Perhaps Joseph can fill in midfield, seeing as he seems to be lacking in the striker dept.... Fabulous win against our nearest challenger, meslier stood firm after his customary wobble and junior was outstanding as well...the lazy,lazy piroe did what he's good at ....bring on the baggies
Extraordinary game again with chat Eire yet again almost bang on. Disappointing re Ampadu. We've been lucky all season with injuries, he is critical to Farkes team, Farke said that after his last return
Good morning everyone Well done the team, what a result, i am, as with all Leeds fans still BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIN. Surely we are over the last two big fences, Sunderland/Sheff Utd, and just got the straight run in, nothing can go wrong now surely, although for all you horse race fans (Dick Francis on Devon lock) watch at about 1min 25 seconds in, now springs to mind
But that's what we don't need to think mate yes big fences jumped but we can't mentally think it's straight fences left this league can kick u right up the shytepipe if u take ur foot off. I don't expect this team to fold though we can turn things around we believe in our football ability and team mates. The baggies will be a hard game next they are as good as anyone on their day. Big physical side step by step game by game. Every win now gets that fat lady warming up her voice.
Morning all Before the Sunderland game I was joining in some debate on their forum, I mentioned that that part of me would prefer easy games, the other part felt what better chance than to put the destiny more within our own grasp as beating both Sunderland and Sheffield would open up a nice cushion and we should not be relying on others. We have to make sure we don't allow the good work to be undone against WBA and I don't fancy QPR away, we have six home games left, win them and we are promoted. A shame about Ampadu, but we had possibly our best run when switching to Rothwell and Tanaka in midfield, my fear would be an injury to Rodon or Struijk and seeing Guilavogui starting at CB
As I said last night, I thought Wilder was fair in his post match interview but there is one bit that has stuck in my head. "I think everyone would have shaken hands on 89 minutes", well, no Chris, as Leeds showed again, these players mean business and want the win. Playing for the draw is not in their psyche!!! Like others, I am conerned about the Ampadu injury and potential lack of cover but, what about Byram at Centre Back if needed? Good in the air and on the ground, can play left or right side and loads of experience. Wouldn't be the worst option imo
Not sure that the medical team would have been pleased to see Ampadu running down the touch line with the substitutes to celebrate our second goal. That could be a few more weeks in rehab.
Thoughts on how the game was managed? Pre planned subs or left to be decided during the game? Certainly earlier than usual.
Just before the game, someone on social media posted he’s not limping, no leg brace, club waiting for swelling to go down, thankfully can’t be serious. After seeing his celebration I too added all these up and thought a week or two out. I was quite shocked today to see out for the season
Has that been confirmed by the club? Sky were saying he is struggling to be fit for Wales at the next international break (remember how that ****ed us up last season) which suggests he could be back before the season ends.
How bad would the club look if Farke were to say we've lost Amps for 6 months, shame we didn't bring anybody in last month! I'm struggling to find any recovery time for cartilage surgery less than 4 months, whether invasive or keyhole surgery, and that is for a minor operation. If major, he could be out for 18 months. You'll note Farke's words 'It's probably a serious injury'.
We managed fine without amps earlier in the season, we'll be fine. When is wober back fit, I totally forgot about him our other lcb?
A minor cartilage op can put you out for as little as 4-6 weeks. He was fine running in a straight line. It's twisting which is the issue.
