As Leeds United edged past Millwall, the Elland Road faithful may have been left a little confused about where they stand in their relationship with Lady Luck.
The home side appeared to be in her good books as Manor Solomon’s cross deflected off Jake Cooper and past a wrong-footed Lukas Jensen with just three minutes on the clock against Alex Neil’s side.
Yet, between that moment and Ao Tanaka’s scorching 85th minute clincher, Lady Luck appeared to turn her back on Leeds United and instead swoon into the arms of Millwall.
Joel Piroe missed two glorious chances against Portsmouth as Leeds’ 17-game unbeaten league record was shattered at Fratton Park. The relief on his face was palpable, then, as the Dutchman danced around the Millwall backline to convert after a fabulous one-two with Brenden Aaronson.
Piroe’s expression would change, though, when he spotted the linesman’s flag.
Daniel Farke baffled as Joel Piroe denied another Leeds United strike
A decision Daniel Farke felt was extremely harsh on Leeds’ Golden Boot-chasing striker. And it did not pass the German by that this was the same lino who ruled out Willy Gnonto’s late strike in similarly controversial circumstances away to Coventry City a month prior.
“I think the offside goal in the first-half was never, never offside! And you know what? The same linesman,” an incredulous Farke sighs. “Last time we had him was away at Coventry, Willy Gnonto was four yards offside.
“[He gave us an] apology after the game. ‘Won’t happen again’. Next game we play, same again.
“It kills me a little bit because a goal is so important against a side like Millwall. Anything can happen [when the scoreline is still 1-0]. So there is a lot in our way, still. We have to stick together and recover quick and smart so we are together on Saturday [away to Queens Park Rangers].”
It very easily could have become another game of close-but-no-cigar for Farke and Leeds.
They managed 18 shots to the visitors’ four and over 60 per cent of the possession. Yet, Leeds still needed an early own goal and a late thunderbolt to put them back at the top of the Championship table.
Nearly a Goal of the Season contender but Manor Solomon opted to shoot
While bemoaning the decision to rule out Piroe’s well-taken effort, Farke was also left ruing a Goal of the Season contender which never was.
Following some lovely chest control and a clever pass from Piroe, Junior Firpo darted into the box and fed Manor Solomon with an impudent backheel. But rather than lay the ball off for Aaronson to run onto and slot home, Solomon instead fired straight into Lukas Jensen’s midriff.
One more pass, Farke feels, and Leeds would have been looking at a goal worthy of gracing any end-of-season gongs show.
“When I think about Junior’s backheel and Manor’s finish…,” Farke yearns wistfully. “If he plays the ball over to Brenden Aaronson, he has an empty goal. It would have been the best team goal of the season.”
Fortunately, an impressive defensive performance and a rather toothless Millwall attack – no shots on target throughout for the visitors – meant Leeds never really looked in danger of being made to pay for their profligacy.
“With one long set-piece, with Cooper on the pitch, anything can happen. You can’t allow yourself not to be focused until the end. So, for that, I was also a bit nervous.
“I liked what I saw, always switched on. The lads were brilliant tonight.”
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