A hard-fought victory at Middlesbrough has propelled Leeds United back to the top of the table albeit on goal difference, as Leeds got back to winning ways at the perfect time.
The promotion train looked as though it had fallen off the tracks in recent games, winning once in the last six games and drawing three in a row against QPR, Swansea and Luton. But on Tuesday, they won 1-0.
A huge victory and perfect timing, with Derby holding Burnley to a 0-0 draw and a second successive loss for Sheffield United against Millwall sees Leeds go from third to first with five league games left to play.
Leeds had to suffer, they had to put up with a Middlesbrough onslaught while also coming to terms with having two goals disallowed, wrongly. It was a big night for Patrick Bamford, coming on as a substitute.
Patrick Bamford won more duels than any of his Leeds teammates
After making his return on Saturday after more than three months on the sidelines with another injury, Bamford was handed 18 minutes on Tuesday night and the one-time England man was in excellent form.
Mark Clattenburg has hammered assistant referee Darren Williams for disallowing two Leeds goals, with Bamford scoring the second of those. But the striker did something more than any of his Leeds mates.
Indeed, Bamford won six duels – and lost three – more than any other Leeds player including those that started and saw out the entire 90 minutes. An incredible stat, as Bamford looks to make a late impact.
Patrick Bamford’s stats for Leeds during cameo at Middlesbrough:
- 6.5 Fotmob rating, 18 minutes played
- 13 touches, four successful passes, four unsuccessful
- Three defensive actions, two successful tackles, one recovery
- Six duels won (Leeds’ best, Ilia Gruev second with five), three lost
Should Patrick Bamford now start for Leeds against Preston?
Next up for Leeds is Preston and Daniel Farke has decisions to make. Whether to start Willy Gnonto or Brenden Aaronson in the 10 role, whether Largie Ramazani comes in and who he puts up front.
Joel Piroe has gone seven games without a goal or assist, after 21 goals and assists in the previous 34 Championship games. So, what does Farke do? Well, the momentum is certainly with Bamford.
However, it all depends on Bamford’s fitness. Before the Middlesbrough game, Farke said it was too soon to start Bamford but after his cameo at Middlesbrough, Farke may be tempted to bring in Bamford.
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