Leeds 3 Middlesbrough 2

Leeds were unchanged as expected but it was a surprise to play towards the Kop in the first half. If the opening of the match 3 days ago was the most incredible start to a game I have ever seen then this one was a close second. I heard Johnny Buchan say on Radio Leeds before kick off that Middlesbrough had yet to score against a Daniel Farke side….this was surely the kiss of death and Middlesbrough obliged, opening the scoring in only the third minute. I could have sworn the powerful, swerving shot from just inside the corner of the box hit the side netting and Mes was as surprised as me to have been beaten at his near post.

I had pessimistically predicted a defeat today or at best a draw, they surely were not going to win seven on the bounce at home, but within two minutes of the opening goal Leeds were level with another goal that baffled me. After a bit of a scramble in the area, which saw his shot cleared off the line, Dan James made a brilliant jump to get his head on to a high cross from Byram. I thought he had done well and it was a good effort and unlucky to go past the post… but again I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was in the net... 1-1. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to Specsavers and maybe it’s time for some decent glasses!

The craziest of starts continued and by the 8th minute Leeds were ahead, Summerville getting on the end of Archie Gray’s cross to head home in front of the Kop. Twice in the next two minutes Middlesbrough should have drawn level. First a glorious chance was spurned when the ball was lashed over the bar from close range and then, with only Meslier to beat from a few yards out, a second chance went begging. The 37,000 had hardly had chance to draw breath during a frenzied opening 10 minutes and for the next 25 minutes Leeds pressed relentlessly in pursuit of the third goal.

They had further chances to score before Rutter burst into the area and was fouled but still managed to stay on his feet to get a shot away but only straight at the ‘keeper. The ref correctly brought play back for the penalty which a few years back ‘old school’ would have deemed it as ‘playing advantage’. Leeds got the reward they deserved and Piroe dispatched the penalty like the cool finisher he is, making no mistake and scoring his 8th goal of the season.

Leeds had been pushing hard and playing well creating all sorts of problems and Archie Gray had an outstanding first half. The Leeds defence was troubled by Boro’s breakaways though and often looked uncomfortable and Boro spurned another gilt edged opportunity to get back into the game before a superb header from a corner reduced the arrears and sent Bob Mortimer and the excellent away support delirious. Leeds are still being beaten to corners by the opposition, a problem that has yet to be eradicated. We had been treated to a magnificent first half of football. Leeds led 3-2 and it could so easily have been 6-4. 

The second half settled down to a more normal game with Leeds in control and pushing for the killer 4th goal. Rutter had two great chances to score and missed them both to the frustration of the home fans but they were very appreciative of his non-stop effort and his great skill and they roared him on with the heart-warming chant of “Georginio”. Boro were always a threat on the break and I was sure an equaliser was coming. A sending off for two yellow cards with half an hour to go reduced the visitors to ten men and that looked to be the end of their chances for an equaliser with Leeds seemingly in control, recycling the ball around the defence and probing for openings.

With 15 minutes left the post saved Leeds from an embarrassing equaliser from the ten men and there was yet more drama to come when Bamford came on sporting a Gazza bleached blonde barnet. He almost surprised us even more with a great header that was brilliantly saved and from the rebound Piroe then was somehow unable to turn the ball into the net from a yard out. Middlesbrough, pushed on by Leeds hero Johnny Howson, still had fuel in the tank, even with 10 men, and it was a great relief to hear the final whistle. Leeds had played very well creating enough chances to win 5 games and this against seriously good opposition. It was a marvelous match and everyone went home happy. The end.

By David Dean