It feels like just about every team in the Football League can be described as a ‘Neil Warnock derby’ – the so-called grandfather of the EFL has been around a bit, it’s fair to say – and Leeds United vs Middlesbrough at the Riverside certainly fit the bill.
A clash between Leeds United – the team Warnock managed briefly just over a decade ago – and a Middlesbrough outfit who were rescued from the grip of the relegation zone after a disastrous start to the 2020/21 season under Jonathan Woodgate.
Both clubs are in a much better place these days, of course, at the risk of jinxing things ahead of the final five, make-or-break matches.
Fear and frustration was growing amongst the Leeds support after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Luton Town. Three days later, it was more a case of jubilation and relief. From third back to first again, on a night when both Burnley and Sheffield United both dropped points.
Dan James was Leeds’ matchwinner at play-off seeking Middlresbrough. With both the Welshman and Manor Solomon much improved from recent below-par displays, the former set-up the latter with a perfectly weighted cross just two minutes in.
Neil Warnock sings Dan James praises as Leeds United beat Middlesbrough
Solomon and James have struck up a superb partnership this term. Their understanding telepathic once more, the latter bundling the ball home under pressure from Samuel Iling Junior as he took his tally to 12 for the season.
Two more, and 2024/25 will officially be the most prolific league campaign of the former Manchester United man’s career.
Warnock labelled Dan James his ‘favourite player’ back in February. And, sitting in the Sky Sports studio alongside Elland Road icon Stuart Dallas as Leeds picked up only their second win in seven matches, the 76-year-old tactician again did not hold back in his admiration.
“I love him, me,” Warnock twinkled in his distinctive Steel City tones. “You get your rewards when you go [and attack a cross] like that. He should have no chance but, because of his desire and he wants to get in there… Well done.
“You get your rewards when you do that. I thought [the early goal] just settled them down a little bit.”
On an evening where Leeds had two goals wrongly disallowed – Warnock never misses a chance to take a pop at the officials and the decisions to deny Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford were a ‘disgrace’, he fumed – the overarching feeling at full time was one of relief.
The pent-up tears on Ao Tanaka’s face certainly gave that impression.
“It will be unbelievable, the feeling they will have tonight,” adds Warnock, who knows a thing or two about securing promotion. “They scored two great goals and they’ve both been disallowed but that’s football.
“Credit to [Farke]. He’s been under pressure. [Karl] Darlow did well as well. I’m really pleased for him.”
Karl Darlow justifies his place as Stuart Dallas ‘delighted’
On his second appearance of the entire Championship season, the veteran goalkeeper was again solid when called upon. Daniel Farke opted to replace Illan Meslier with Karl Darlow after the Frenchman’s latest error-strewn afternoon against Swansea City.
Darlow may lack the same penchant for spectacular reaction saves. But what he does bring is a sense of calm in the backline.
“Big performance, big result,” smiles Dallas, part of the team who claimed the Championship title in 2020 under Marcelo Bielsa. “I’m delighted for them. There’s been a lot of questions asked in the last few weeks.
“To get a win is huge.”
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