Wilfried Gnonto was among Leeds United’s best players on Tuesday night as Daniel Farke’s side returned to the top of the Championship table with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.
After returning to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Derby, Leeds made it eight wins in a row at Elland Road with a 3-1 triumph against a Middlesbrough side expected to push for the play-off places.
Wilfried Gnonto scored his fourth goal of the season from close range, bundling the ball home after Seny Dieng denied Mateo Joseph. However, Middlesbrough equalised when Max Wober scored an own goal.
But Leeds rallied and after missing an easier chance, Dan James slammed home a gorgeous strike despite going away from goal. Brenden Aaronson made it three late on after brilliant work from Ao Tanaka.
Wilfried Gnonto spotted limping after Leeds United’s victory
A brilliant win, sparing Max Wober’s blushes as Leeds go back to the top of the table for at least 24 hours, with Sheffield United in action on Wednesday night. Burnley and Sunderland could only manage draws.
But there is some concern. BBC Radio Leeds presenter Jonathan Buchan said that he saw Gnonto from the gantry “limping” after full-time, with the Italian taken off just before the 70th minute by Daniel Farke.
Buchan said, at the beginning of BBC Radio Leeds‘ post-match programme: “Willy Gnonto is limping off the field, down there in his trench coat. He was substituted earlier on in the second half.”
Wilfried Gnonto’s stats from Leeds United’s win vs Middlesbrough
Farke said Gnonto has been better from the bench recently, having been taken out of the starting line-up. But he returned on Tuesday night and the Italian was excellent, his performance deserving of a goal.
Wilfried Gnonto’s stats for Leeds in win over Middlesbrough:
- 8.3 FotMob rating (best rating among both teams)
- XG+XA: 0.46, one goal scored
- Two successful dribbles, two touches in opposition box
- 38 touches, 13 completed passes, 18 attempted
- One tackle, one interception, three recoveries
- Nine duels won (highest on the pitch), four lost
Hopefully for Leeds, Gnonto had just picked up a bit of a knock and will be available when Leeds go to Preston on the weekend. A side that have given Leeds some problems during Farke’s era since his arrival.
Gnonto says the Leeds squad are not thinking about promotion but given the Whites are back on top of the Championship table, there was a feeling that Tuesday night’s win is a big win in the race to go up.
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