Leeds United strengthened their automatic promotion credentials on Tuesday night with a crucial 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at Elland Road, thanks to Dan James’ winner.
Middlesbrough came into the game in fifth place, having taken a point off one of Leeds‘ direct rivals in the form of Burnley on the weekend. But Leeds had returned to winning ways, with a win against Derby.
Leeds took the lead when the Whites broke down the right, and a cross from Dan James caused havoc in the Boro box. Mateo Joseph threw himself at it, before Wilfried Gnonto managed to bundle it home.
More of a deflection off Gnonto, that found itself going in. Boro equalised though inadvertently through a Max Wober own goal, as the Austrian accidentally flicked a corner past Illan Meslier into the Leeds goal.
Tony Dorigo blown away by Leeds star Mateo Joseph tonight
But Leeds put themselves back in front in the last 15 minutes when a crunching tackle from Sam Byram saw the ball fall to Joel Piroe, and he played in James to slam home his fourth goal of the 24-25 season.
In the final few seconds, Leeds secured a third goal as the Whites broke and Ao Tanaka touched the ball past the goalkeeper – before Brenden Aaronson was on hand to tap home his fifth goal of the season.
A huge win against a side that should be in the mix for the play-offs at the end of the season. But there was praise for Joseph from Dorigo for a moment that might have gone under the radar in the first half.
Indeed, Dorigo heaped praise during commentary on LUTV (16) on Joseph for his run across the front post which made James’ cross look even better. It went under the radar given Gnonto then scored.
“Run from Joseph was absolutely superb, exactly what you want from your striker. Battled hard to make it work, it makes the goal for Leeds – lovely ball from James and for Gnonto, you’ve got to buy the ticket.”
Mateo Joseph’s display sums up his Leeds form this season
The striker is renowned for his hard-working style of play, his ability to hold off defenders and even his creativity. Perhaps those traits, over his goals, is what saw Farke choose to start him on Tuesday night.
But his role in the first goal makes it, more than James’ cross. It is that movement, that pace and that hard work that saw Middlesbrough fumble the ball and saw Gnonto to take advantage and open the scoring.
Leeds now sit top of the Championship once again but only until tomorrow night when Sheffield United go up against Millwall at The Den. A tricky game for the Blades, with pressure now on Chris Wilder’s side.
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