Manor Solomon starred for Leeds United on Saturday afternoon as The Whites put one foot in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Preston – and Sheffield United suffered defeat.
With Leeds leading 2-1 towards the end of the match at Elland Road, a surprise roar greeted Daniel Farke’s side and it soon became clear why. Plymouth had taken a shock 2-1 lead against Sheffield United.
It meant that with Leeds winning, The Whites would open up a five-point gap on Chris Wilder’s Blades. The scores remained the same, prompting a passionate celebration from Joe Rodon as full-time struck.
The opposite occurred at Home Park, Chris Wilder causing a ruckus in the tunnel. Sheffield United boss Wilder said after the game that his side have “let it slip”, when discussing the automatic promotion race.
Manor Solomon breaks Robert Snodgrass’ 16-year Leeds record
Back in the summer of 2008, Gary MacAllister bought an unknown Scottish talent from Livingston in the form of Robert Snodgrass. The winger went on to lay on 16 assists in League One, and 18 in total.
Since Snodgrass in 2008-09, he has been the only Leeds player to notch double digits in terms of assists in his first Leeds season. That was until Saturday when Solomon crossed for Jayden Bogle’s winner.
Solomon had given Leeds the lead early on, his eighth goal of the season having created Dan James’ winner against Middlesbrough. Opta’s Jonny Cooper reports he broke Snodgrass’ 16-year Leeds record.
Cooper reported: “Manor Solomon is the first Leeds United player to assist 10 goals in his first season with the club since Robert Snodgrass in 2008-09 (18 assists).”
What Stuart Dallas said about Manor Solomon after Preston win
It has been a tumultuous season for Solomon. A player with the capability of easily being the best player in the Championship, the on-loan Tottenham man has now had a hand in 18 goals in all competitions.
Dallas says it was “a risk” to sign Solomon last summer and indeed, the Israel star has gone through a “sticky patch” in recent weeks. But in the last two games, Solomon has reminded all why he is starting.
“He’s been fantastic, a big signing. A risk at the start of the season because of his injury record, but he’s been fantastic. When someone says Manor Solomon, this is the kind of goal I associate him with.”
Leeds are expecting to sign Solomon permanently from Tottenham when promotion is secured, and with Leeds now five points clear of Sheffield United, The Whites are the closest they’ve been to a return.
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