LEEDS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: A detailed view of the corner flag prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Leeds United and Cardiff City at Elland Road on January 18, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
I saw Daniel Farke learn last night that 900k ace now simply has to be starting for Leeds United.
Leeds United’s squad is looking extremely stretched right now, but they were still able to defeat Hull City last night.
The Whites ran out 3-1 winners over the Tigers at Elland Road to move back into the top two, but were certainly made to work for the three points, leaving it very late.
Sam Byram had given Leeds an early lead but the two sides went in level at the break after Fabio Carvalho’s equaliser. But Crysencio Summerville was once again the difference for Daniel Farke’s side as he stepped up and converted the penalty which he won two minutes from time.
Dan James then sealed the win in the final stages of stoppage time with a brilliant strike from 45 yards out as Hull City’s goalkeeper was caught forward after a corner.
Considering both Leicester City and Ipswich Town picked up wins earlier in the day, it was a massive victory for Leeds with the pressure very much having been on them.
I saw Farke learn last night that 900k ace now simply has to be starting for Leeds
Though Leeds were a long way from their best for most of the night, they should’ve actually had the game put to bed relatively early on.
After Byram’s opener, Patrick Bamford then had the chance to double the lead with practically an open goal inside the six-yard-box, but somehow steered his effort over the bar.
Bamford is the very definition of a confidence player and those sort of misses do very little to help him with that, and from that moment on, he was anonymous in the game. He was also poor at Watford on Friday.
Even despite his lack of impact, Farke waited until less than 20 minutes from time to bring him off the pitch for Mateo Joseph, the man whose goal salvaged Leeds a point at Vicarage Road.
However, it has to be said that the balance of the game yesterday actually certainly seemed to turn in Leeds’ favour after he was brought on. He was giving their defenders a far tougher time than Bamford was, offering an outlet in behind.
The 20-year-old was also unlucky not to score his first goal at Elland Road, as he saw an effort bounce agonizingly off the post just minutes after coming on.
It is quite clear now that Joseph is having an impact every single time he comes off the bench and has done more than enough to warrant a first league start.
