Tuesday night saw Leeds United arguably produce their best performance of the season as Daniel Farke’s men saw off what will be one of their toughest opponents during 2024-25.
Plenty of Leeds players were on top form on Tuesday night. Under-fire Illan Meslier made some key stops with the scoreline reading 1-1, while Joe Rodon was described as a “warrior” by Daniel Farke afterwards.
The midfielders continued their stunning form while Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James and Brenden Aaronson all got on the score sheet. Ao Tanaka got his first assist and both Gnonto and Aaronson broke droughts.
However, one Leeds player deserves enormous praise for not only his fantastic performance, but having come straight into the starting line-up after missing the last two Leeds games through injury.
Sam Byram posts on Instagram as Leeds beat Middlesbrough
The 31-year-old defender enjoyed another stunning performance on Tuesday night as he came into the starting line-up to replace Jayden Bogle, despite missing the last two games with a hamstring problem.
Byram had a hand in Leeds’ first two goals. Playing on the right, it was his pass that fed James to cross the ball for Gnonto’s goal, before his crunching tackle set up Leeds’ second as James lashed an effort home.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Byram said: “What a night. Big 3 points against a good opposition.”
Junior Firpo and Joe Rodon praise ‘ironing board’ Sam Byram
The versatile defender has been excellent this season, with Michael Bridges describing him as “reliable” on Tuesday evening. He has played left-back and right-back, but he can play centre-back and on the wing.
Of course, Byram’s big issue is injuries and while he is fit again and has been available for the majority of the season, playing him back to back or for three games in a row often proves too much for Byram.
But when he has been used, the Thorp Arch academy graduate has been sensational and on Wednesday, Rodon and Firpo praised Byram. Firpo said he was “brilliant” and Rodon nicknamed him “ironing board”.
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