Leeds United fans make the same point following scrappy QPR win

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United moved back into the top two of the Championship with a scrappy 2-0 win over QPR on Saturday afternoon that Daniel Farke’s side made hard work of at times.

Farke made three changes from the side that fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Den on Wednesday, with Mateo Joseph and Manor Solomon replacing Joel Piroe and Dan James, while Sam Byram came in for Junior Firpo, who was surprisingly hit with an immediate three-match suspension on Saturday morning following an incident at Millwall that went unseen by the referee.

Leeds began on the front foot against the struggling Hoops and had the lead on 19 minutes when Jayden Bogel fired home after a scramble in the box which QPR failed to deal with.

Ao Tanaka came close to his first goal in a Leeds shirt when his shot from the edge of the box was blocked on the half-hour and Leeds then saw what would have been a brilliant goal disallowed, as the flag went up as Solomon slotted home at the end of a flowing move.

Leeds second half frustrations kick in again

Leeds began the second half with a one-goal lead but lacked any kind of cutting edge against QPR’s injury-hit strugglers, meaning frustration grew among the home fans.

A common cause of criticism recently has been Leeds’ ability to break down teams with a low block and the London side were able to keep the hosts at bay for long periods. Farke introduced Dan James and Joel Piroe off the bench on 72 minutes, in place of Solomon and Joseph.

More toil followed and Leeds would eventually put the match to bed when Piroe netted in the 95th minute, but not after a second half which saw the tension rack up until the substitute’s goal. The win sees them move back into the top two ahead of tomorrow’s Championship fixtures, but it was not a performance that left the fans purring.

• READ MORE: Leeds United player ratings vs QPR as Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson fantastic in win but three players get 5/10

Leeds fans pragmatic after second-half toil

After seeing their side struggle to break down Millwall in midweek, Leeds fans were happy to take the three points, but admitted it was something of a pragmatic – albeit uninspiring – victory for their team.

waity_90 posted: “Nothing flows all too often does it, just long stages of laboured passing amongst each other. But when it does we’ve calved them open. We need more!”

“That’ll do. Not the most aesthetically pleasing game but ultimately did what we needed to do. I don’t know what’s going on with Schmidt but him & Guilavogui gave us some much needed impetus at the end. Rothwell & Tanaka class. Nice of them to let Piroe do his goal too,” posted @tommy_lufc.

Leeds’ day was made better when leaders Sunderland threw away a 2-0 halftime lead to draw with managerless Coventry City, meaning the Whites go into the international break just two points off the Black Cats.

“The 3 points is what matters,” said @Chris1014Lee. “Particularly with Sunderland currently dropping points. But I thought it was another tired looking performance. Difficult when the opposition put everyone behind the ball but the football is slow and predictable. Uninspiring. But a win.”

Next up for Leeds after the break is a trip to Swansea on Sunday, November 24, before Farke’s side host Luton Town at Elland Road on Wednesday, November 27.