Report: Leeds United 3-1 Middlesbrough - Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 3 (Gnonto 14’, James 74’, Aaronson 90+2’)

Middlesbrough 1 (Wober og 54’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Struijk (C), Rodon, James (Schmidt 90+4’), Rothwell (Guilavogui 90+4’), Aaronson, Joseph (Solomon 69’), Tanaka, Byram (Ampadu 85’), Gnonto (Piroe 69’), Wober. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bamford, Ramazani, Crew.

Boro: Dieng (GK), Barlaser, Clarke, Hackney (C), McGree (Burgzorg 81’), Latte Lath, Dijksteel, Azaz (Conway 82’), Edmundson, Borges, Doak. Subs not used: Brynn (GK), Jones, Ayling, Gilbert, Howson, Hamilton, McCormick.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,422 (2,888 away)

Referee: Ben Toner

Booked: Wober (Leeds) Edmundson, Dijksteel (Boro)

Leeds United scored three goals to claim three points at home to Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship, to make it back-to-back wins, in front of 36,422 supporters.

Under the lights of Elland Road, the Whites made a bright start to the game, on the front foot against the visitors from the get-go. Dan James and Brenden Aaronson were the first players to test the Boro backline, who eventually dealt with the danger on both occasions.

Both teams were looking to play football and take the game to one another, showing confidence from their previous matches, having each only suffered defeat once in their last five outings.

A high-pressured and fast start paid off inside 15 minutes, which saw Farke’s side take the lead through Gnonto in slightly fortuitous circumstances.

The goal came from James bursting down the right, whipping a ball into the box which nearly found Mateo Joseph but was instead sent goalwards by George Edmundson. Send Dieng then parried the ball and attempted to clear with his feet, which cannoned against Gnonto and into the back of the net!

With the away side looking to respond, the forward pairing of Riley McGree and Emmanuel Latte Lath looking lively, aiming to get in behind. Joe Rodon was called upon as the last man on two occasions to defend, standing firm both times.

Back down the other end, Aaronson caused problems again and was chopped down outside the box. Max Wober struck the free-kick, which was cleared and Boro broke quickly, only for the pace of James to be the last line of defence and clear the counter-attack this time.

There were two further chances on goal at each end of the pitch before the break. For Boro, Ben Oak broke free on the right, cut in and had his effort blocked. Straight down the other end, Gnonto created an opening and struck from 20-yards, forcing Dieng into a good save.

The first 45 minutes had seen a superb atmosphere and an end-to-end game in West Yorkshire, as both teams went in search of the three points, but the whistle sounded to send the Whites in a goal ahead.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Middlesbrough

Neither side had made a change during the interval as they returned back out onto the pitch from their respective dressing rooms.

Looking to get themselves back on level terms, Boro had the first big opening of the second half. McGree controlled a ball over to him on the left of the box and powered a strike on goal, which Illan Meslier did well to tip over the bar.

However, from the resulting corner, the away side levelled. Dan Barlaser took the set-piece and whipped it into the near-post, which Wober got up and attempted to clear, but unfortunately diverted his header into his own-goal.

Both goalkeepers were needed as it ticked over the hour mark. Meslier rushed superbly out of his goal to challenge Doak in the box and clear for a counter-attack, which then saw Dieng out quickly to stop James getting a chance.

Farke was the first of the bosses to turn to their bench. He made a double switch, bringing on Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe in place of Gnonto and Joseph.

Solomon was straight into the action, flying past Edmundson, only for the defender to bring him down and receive a yellow card. Rothwell whipped the free-kick on target, but retreating, it was Edmundson who then cleared the danger he had originally allowed.

An even better opening would them come for Leeds. Ao Tanaka won the ball up high, played in James down the right and his low effort was well saved by Dieng and cleared.

There was no stopping the next effort, though! This time Sam Byram brilliantly won the ball back and found Piroe, who slid James in again and this time the winger finished brilliantly into the top corner!

With five minutes or so to play, a big moment came inside Elland Road, as our captain returned to action. Ethan Ampadu was given a standing ovation back onto the pitch, replacing the equally impressive Byram.

In stoppage time, the points were sealed, with an excellent team move! James again was involved in the counter-attack, he played Tanaka into the box, the midfielder then squared it into the path of Aaronson who finished at close range, getting a goal his performance had thoroughly deserved!

In what had been a thoroughly entertaining game, the whistle brought the action to a close and confirmed an eighth successive home win for Farke’s side in what had been an entertaining encounter.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 3-1 Middlesbrough