The race for Championship glory hung in the balance after Burnley’s tight win against the Canaries last night. But it was not to be for the Clarets after the former Leeds man, Jadon Anthony scored the winner at Turf Moor.
Championship update
Elsewhere, Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United blew a 1-0 lead at Plymouth to lose 2-1 at the tables bottom side. That now only leaves five points between Plymouth and Portsmouth, who languish in 17th after their first season back. Of course, the teams around have games in hand – but the league run in looks exciting at both ends of the table.
Sunderland play today, with Sheffield United now increasingly worried that the black cats are lurking just behind. For Leeds, a five-point barrier to third and a supreme goal difference see them the happiest of the top three as of now.
Leeds were dealt an initial blow last night finding out that Pascal Struijk has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Whites climbed back to the top of the Championship after a 2-1 win over a stubborn Preston, with Jayden Bogle’s 13th-minute strike proving the difference.
Burnley’s victory over Norwich on Friday had temporarily knocked Leeds off the summit, but Bogle’s sixth goal of the season ensured they reclaimed pole position.
Leeds dominate
In usual fashion, Leeds dominated proceedings having 60% of the possession and squandering key opportunities throughout. They managed to score early on, meaning all the goals came in a frantic 13-minute burst.
Leeds took the lead in the fourth minute, as Manor Solomon curled a stunning strike from the edge of the box, placing it beyond Preston keeper David Cornell into the far corner.
It came from a one-two with Ilia Gruev, and despite the Preston defence looking solid, Solomon’s helped break the deadlock. Preston responded quickly and just two minutes later, Kaine Kesler-Hayden levelled the score, driving at Junior Firpo, cutting inside, and unleashing a powerful left-foot shot past Karl Darlow.
Bogle’s timely intervention in the 13th minute put Leeds back in front. Arriving in the six-yard box at the perfect moment, he finished off Solomon’s cross from the left with precision, putting the home side ahead once again.
The Israeli winger has proven a fantastic signing this year and too good for England’s second tier. It will be interesting to see what Daniel Farke’s plans are for Solomon next year, whether Premier League or not.
Leeds’s attacking firepower has been a key factor in their push for promotion. They have celebrated their richest goalscoring campaign in over 50 years with 82 so far. Despite this, you cannot help like feeling they should have scored more. Joel Piroe, still goalless in his last eight matches, missed several chances to end his drought. One of his best opportunities came just before halftime, but a brilliant sliding block by Lewis Gibson denied him the goal he desperately craved.
Leading on from goal droughts, after ending his last week, Willy Gnonto also tested Cornell with a well-hit shot. Then Piroe wasted another chance in stoppage time, sending a first-time effort wide of the target. Brenden Aaronson had a chance too, forcing the keeper into a low save before the weak follow up ended in the goalkeeper’s arms.
Missed chances from Preston
Preston nearly made Leeds pay for their missed chances, with a well-executed corner routine that saw Ben Whiteman’s strike saved brilliantly by Darlow.
Preston did not offer that much going forward other than Kesler-Hayden’s goal, but their solid performance, despite losing sees their fans leave reasonably happy that it was not a lot more.
Piroe should have sealed it in the 55th minute when Solomon whipped in a perfect cross, but somehow, he hit the bar. Gnonto then missed another good opportunity, before Solomon had a powerful shot tipped around the post by Preston keeper Cornell.
Even Joe Rodon, presented with an open goal from a corner, somehow managed to fluff his lines.
Preston’s Whiteman was handed an excellent opportunity from a free kick when Darlow ventured out of his area to punch away a long ball. But the Leeds captain, Ethan Ampadu, was quick to react and deflected it wide.
Leeds fans will have been happy to see the Welshman display some of the great defending they saw before his injury earlier this season.
That was the last real threat, as Leeds held firm to extend their unbeaten home run to 18 matches. After last season’s painful playoff defeat at Wembley, automatic promotion is now within their grasp.
After six tense minutes of added time, the game ended. With Sheffield United suffering a defeat to Plymouth, Leeds are now edging closer to Premier League promotion and control their own destiny.
