The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 25th February) Late show stuns Blades as Leeds go 5 points clear
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 25th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Late show stuns Blades as Leeds go 5 points clear
Leeds Utd showcased their own brand of metal last night, coming from behind to stun bitter rivals Sheffield United with three late goals to secure a memorable victory in the city of Steel. They trailed for much of the match to a 14th minute own goal, but unleashed a late barrage of goals, with Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka, and Joel Piroe all finding the target in the final quarter to secure a memorable 3-1 triumph.
The victory extends Leeds' remarkable unbeaten run in the Championship to 16 games, a sequence of 11 wins and five draws that stretches back to November; solidifying their Championship dominance this season. They move five points clear of the Blades, but more importantly seven points clear (and a +10 goal difference) of third placed Burnley.
The game began with a nervy start for Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who endured a shaky opening ten minutes. First, he fumbled a long throw into the box, recovering just in time to gather at the second attempt. Moments later, amidst claims of being impeded while attempting to punch clear, Meslier was grateful to Ilia Gruev who bravely headed the ball off the line to avert an early Sheffield United opener.
However, the Blades' pressure eventually told in the 14th minute. Ben Brereton Diaz delivered a pinpoint cross, and Callum O'Hare executed a sublime flicked header over Meslier. The Leeds goalkeeper, despite his best efforts – pushing the initial header onto the bar – saw the rebound ricochet off Tyrese Campbell and cruelly deflect off his own back and over the line for an own goal.
Sheffield United almost doubled their advantage soon after, with O'Hare narrowly failing to connect with another dangerous cross, this time from Harrison Burrows. Firpo was then called upon to make a vital interception, thwarting O'Hare just as he prepared to pounce on a Campbell delivery.
Despite being on the back foot, Leeds threatened sporadically. Daniel James squandered a promising opportunity after being played in by Brenden Aaronson, cutting inside but firing his shot high and wide. Leeds' finest moment of the first half arrived seven minutes before the break. Pascal Struijk, returning to the starting XI after his brace in the Sunderland comeback victory, launched a perfect long pass to Manor Solomon on the left side of the box.
Solomon skillfully controlled the ball, leaving Harry Clarke and Burrows disoriented, but then shot tamely straight at the goalkeeper instead of squaring the ball to an unmarked Firpo, much to the defender’s visible frustration. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder opted for a tactical switch at halftime, introducing Hamza Choudhury for Harry Clarke. The Blades initially regained control after the restart, with Campbell breaking clear of Joe Rodon, only to be denied by Meslier who bravely slid out to intercept.
Leeds attempted to inject fresh impetus into their attack with a double substitution, bringing on Mateo Joseph and Joe Rothwell for Aaronson and Gruev respectively. Souza tested Meslier from distance, but his 25-yard strike was comfortably dealt with. The visitors then had two penalty appeals waved away. James went down under a challenge from Jack Robinson, but the referee deemed it insufficient. Later, a Jayden Bogle cross struck the arm of Burrows, but referee David Webb judged the Sheffield United defender's arm to be in a natural position.
As time dwindled, Leeds squandered another clear-cut chance to equalize. Solomon, from 16 yards, volleyed over the bar, compounding his earlier miss. However, football can be a game of fine margins and dramatic shifts. Against the run of play, Leeds found their breakthrough. James, after a frustrating evening, finally delivered a perfect cross, and Firpo rose majestically to power a header past Cooper, igniting scenes of wild jubilation amongst the travelling Leeds supporters.
Fueled by the equalizer, Leeds surged forward with renewed vigour. Piroe tested Cooper with a sharp low save, and the Sheffield United goalkeeper was again called into action to deny a powerful effort from Wilfried Gnonto. The momentum had decisively swung in Leeds’ favour, culminating in a stunning late show that cemented their position at the Championship summit and sent a clear message to their promotion rivals.
Ampadu out for season
Ethan Ampadu is set to undergo knee surgery in the next few days that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. This comes as a significant blow to the Whites who, unlike their adversaries felt it unnecessary to strengthen their squad when given the opportunity to do so last month.
His versatility, switching between midfield and defence has saved Daniel Farke from countless selection headaches, and very much reduces their options over their final twelve games. With Wober recovering from surgery, Leeds will prey that Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk stay fit. Josuha Guilavogui is far too slow for defensive duties whilst James Debayo has only played a minute of league game time all season.
Similarly, the Welsh International will be missed in midfield. Tanaka, Rothwell and Gruev can hold the fort (with assistance from Guilavogui), but are significantly weakened. Leeds should have enough about them to be able to keep their momentum going without their Captain as long as they do not lose any other crucial first team members.