Daniel Farke suggests Blackburn Rovers should have been reduced to 10 men as Leeds United suffer third Championship defeat

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Blackburn Rovers continue to be a thorn in Leeds United’s side as John Eustace’s men picked up a 1-0 win at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon, their second successive win over Leeds.

Leeds fans are becoming more and more familiar with the type of result. All three defeats this season have been by the same scoreline, when a team score first and then implement a low block to deny Leeds.

Burnley did it at Elland Road before Millwall used the same tactic at The Den after Japhet Tanganga’s goal. Blackburn used it effectively on Saturday, after Ao Tanaka conceded a penalty and Todd Cantwell scored.

It is a third loss in three games as Leeds manager against Eustace for Farke, who showed his frustration after the full-time whistle. Farke and Blackburn skipper Lewis Travis were involved in a bit of a spat.

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Daniel Farke suggests Blackburn should have had a red card

There were some contentious decisions made by referee Lewis Smith, who has reffed Leeds in two games beforehand. A 1-1 draw with Plymouth in the FA Cup, and this season’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United.

Tanaka looked to have fouled a Blackburn player potentially outside the box, with the foul somewhat soft. Then, he chose to only hand Tyrhys Dolan a yellow card on 62 minutes for a tackle made on Junior Firpo.

Knee high, Dolan makes contact with the returning Firpo. Farke said afterwards: “I do not normally ask for red cards. Everyone can judge for themselves on the replay, because it looks like I am asking for excuses.”

Plenty of excuses but the facts are, Leeds were not good enough

You can point to Blackburn only playing twice instead of three games over the last seven days. To the penalty being slightly contentious, or to Dolan being sent off, but really Leeds were far from their best.

First-touches seemed off, a degree of lethargy despite some rotation from Farke and then of course, numerous missed chances. Aynsley Pears was in good form in Blackburn’s goal, keeping a clean sheet.

It is a step back for Leeds but in the grand scheme of things, The Whites are still well-positioned for promotion and many consider them among the favourites to go up. Leeds host Derby next Saturday.