Category: Leeds United

 

Some of his clean sheets have been earned without the keeper really being needed but not so this one. He had two saves to make in the second half, two vital saves and both were excellent. There was also a bit of quick thinking and a long, accurate throw that sent James away to create a chance.

 

Coventry City rolled into this one with four straight wins but they played a big part in their own downfall in this one, assisting a team who need no assistance in scoring goals. Some of the decisions from the Sky Blues in possession and some of the execution was so poor and they had their goalkeeper and Leeds wastefulness to thank that it didn’t become a rout.

 

 

 

The effort is always there, he covers miles and he causes real problems for teams but this was one of those occasions when his work in the final third, at the final moment let him down.

 

 

 

Ethan Ampadu walking out of the tunnel, signing an autograph for the Leeds mascot who was visibly freezing. Ampadu walked towards the centre circle and then thought better of it, doubled back, gently chastised the club’s media department and then informed everyone he was going to fetch the youngster another top to wear.

 

Junior Firpo applauding in approval as Joel Piroe curled home a beauty of a finish during shooting practise in the warm-up.

 

Joe Rodon offering the benefit of his wisdom to Ilia Gruev as the starting outfield players prepared to do their final warm-up sprints.

 

 

 

Farke reacting angrily to a slightly loose pass from Gruev that asked Ampadu to get into a physical duel that he otherwise wouldn’t have needed to go into. The manager spent the next minute instructing Gruev on where the ball should have gone.

 

Rodon jumping in the air in frustration as his pass to Bogle was allowed to run under the right-back’s boot. The Welshman was then signalling to defensive partner Ampadu that he should have gone for a ball over the top instead of a risky pass down the middle that got cut out.

 

Joel Latibeaudiere yelling ‘you’re so bad at your job’ into the face of referee Dean Whitestone as he failed to force Piroe to go off via the shortest route as he was replaced late on.

 

Solomon forcing Ampadu to come away from Latibeaudiere as they exchanged words on the pitch at full-time.

 

The Leeds fans provoking a reaction from Frank Lampard as they goaded him after the win.

 

 

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After losing to a formidable Manchester City Under-18 team in the FA Youth Cup’s Fifth Round, Leeds United’s Under-18 team was eliminated.

The defending champions got off to a fast start on a windy York night, taking the lead after four minutes as forward Matthew Warhurst was in a good position to head in Ryan McAidoo’s low cross.

In search of a fast reaction, Alfie Cresswell created space in the middle of the pitch and found Rhys Chadwick, who then found Freddie Lane.

The winger saw a dangerous cross cannon behind for a corner kick. A partially cleared ball landed in Lane’s direction from the ensuing set piece.

The left-back then fizzed a pass into Lane inside the area after defender Coban Bird’s fantastic weaving move, but Rhys Thomas’s strong recovery block helped the visitors clear.

Oliver Pickles’ exquisite, threaded pass nearly let striker Oliver Boast through, but City’s goalie Whatmuff, another Oliver, came running out to recover. Rob Etherington’s young team was starting to look threatening on the break.

The course of the match shifted soon before the 20th minute when the Whites were reduced to 10 after full-back Will Firth received two consecutive yellow cards.

 

Reigan Heskey increased Oliver Reiss’ team’s advantage with a powerful shot that arrowed into the top corner from the ensuing free kick.

But the Whites weren’t discouraged by the score, as they drew one back just before halftime when Boast completed an incredible attacking play! Chadwick on the right slid a risky pass across the face of goal, which the striker scooped in after Josh McDonald did a fantastic job at first, twisting and turning his way to the outside of the area.

The Whites came out of the second half unaltered, striving hard to build on the lifeline that Boast had given them.

Leeds got off to a strong start, with Cresswell flicking a header just over before a taunting Chadwick delivery looped in.

The ball bounced painfully past the upright, but the captain had risen highest to meet the cross and flicked an attempt towards the far post.

When McAidoo took advantage of a sloppy clearing to score his team’s fourth goal of the night, City added another just before the hour mark.

The visitors’ next player to enter the game was Finlay Gorman, who fired into the corner from beyond Kenyon’s dive. Despite the score, the youthful Whites were nevertheless eager to start winning.

The visitors were able to clear their lines thanks to a brilliant recovery by Kian Noble after substitute Harvey Vincent surged down the right side and crossed in search of Jacob Render.

Moving forward In the last moments, Luca Fletcher also scored, guaranteeing City’s place in the quarterfinals as they defended their crown.

 

 

 

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Brenden Aaronson has revealed the reasons behind Leeds United’s ecstatic celebrations of their fifth goal against Cardiff City on Saturday.

 

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The game at Elland Road was largely done and dusted by half-time. Aaronson got the first and Manor Solomon the second, both from Daniel James assists. By the time Gnonto made his appearance as a second half substitute, James had added a goal of his own and then won a penalty which was converted by Joel Piroe.

 

Gnonto entered the fray on 66 minutes, replacing James, and joined the Welshman on the scoresheet on 67 minutes. In what was his first involvement, the winger picked up the ball on the right near halfway and ran all the way to the edge of the area before sliding a well-hit strike beyond the dive of Jak Alnwick. As Gnonto wheeled away in celebration having ended a seven-game goal drought, his delight was understandable. But his team-mates appeared equally over the moon. Josuha Guilavogui and Largie Ramazani led the warming up substitutes onto the pitch and the rest of the Whites engulfed Gnonto.

 

 

It might have been the fifth goal of seven but it was special and well worth celebrating according to Aaronson. “I think for Willy it was a special goal, because for him, he hasn’t scored in I don’t know how many games it’s been,” said the American.

 

“He’s a guy that’s scoring a lot, and when you aren’t scoring for a few games you get down on yourself, your confidence can go down, and it’s not easy. But I think for Willy, he’s another guy that’s so hungry. He’s such a good person and a great human being, and he wants to work harder than anybody else. So I think his goal today was just special, because he always is just an amazing guy, and to come on and – it’s not fun when you don’t start games – but he came on and he scored the goal and that’s why we’re so happy for him.”

 

The Leeds players looked just as delighted with the sixth goal, which was another important one. Mateo Joseph last hit the net in October against Sheffield United and had gone 18 Championship appearances without a goal. Only three of those had been starts but the drought was visibly wearing on the 21-year-old. It came to an end when Junior Firpo slammed in a perfect cross and Joseph crashed the six-yard box to convert. Aronson is close with Joseph and says the goal is a reward for all the striker’s hard work.

 

 

“I mean, for Mateo, he’s one of my good friends, first of all, and he’s a young kid, and it’s tough when he’s been struggling with his core goals at the moment,” said Aaronson. “I think everybody knows that. But, players go through this, strikers go through this.

But the thing that I love about Mateo is he’s so hungry. He wants to keep working every day after training. You know, he’s always asking me, let’s do stuff, let’s do stuff, let’s do stuff today, let’s do stuff tomorrow. So he’s a really hungry kid. He’s got a huge future ahead of him, so hopefully this is a turning point for him, but he’s got to stay hungry, keep doing what he’s doing.”

 

When Leeds United were in the midst of a three-horse race for automatic promotion this time last year, the Premier League-seeking side might have allowed themselves to dream, even for a brief moment, about the gifts that promotion could bring.

 

Twelve months on, with Leeds in the market for a striker once again, their options appeared limited to Championship-proven additions such as Southampton duo Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong.

 

And while there remains a lingering sense of frustration at Elland Road as Leeds failed to secure a deal for either Archer or Armstrong, should Premier League football return to West Yorkshire at last in 2025/26, then Daniel Farke will have the luxury of shopping in Waitrose rather than, well, a less upmarket destination.

 

Promotion, and the financial benefits that brings, will open up Leeds United to a far greater pool of centre-forwards.

 

Perhaps that was the thinking back in March 2024, when Leeds reportedly added Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez to their radar.

 

Feyenoord’s Mexican forward #29 Santiago Gimenez celebrates after scoring Feyenoord’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions L…

 

Santiago Gimenez joins AC Milan one year after Leeds United links

At the time, the Yorkshire giants would have been drawing up two very different shopping lists. An array of targets for the Premier League, and some for the Championship.

 

Gimenez, due to the massive price tag slapped on his head by the then Eredivisie champions, would obviously have fallen into the former category.

 

Feyenoord were always going to sell their Mexican marksman for big money. The kind of money Leeds would only have access too if they were a top-flight side.

 

 

Take, for instance, the fee AC Milan have paid to secure Gimenez’s services 10 months after those Elland Road links emerged. The Argentina-born 23-year-old finally bids farewell to De Kuip after months of speculation and incessant links with countless teams across the continent.

 

But when Milan made their interest known, paying £26.5 million for their trouble, there was only one club the boyhood Rossoneri fanatic had his heart set on.

 

 

“When I was a kid, I loved Milan,” an overjoyed Gimenez said during his official unveiling at San Siro on deadline day, exiting Feyenoord after scoring 16 goals in just 19 games this season. “It was my dream. And, when I received the call from the Rossoneri, I said; “Wow”.

 

“Years ago, I spoke to [club legend and 2007 Ballon D’Or winner] Kaka. He encouraged me. Milan was in my destiny.”

 

Leeds need Joel Piroe to keep his form after strikerless deadlone day

Leeds will be hoping their ‘destiny’, meanwhile, lies in the Premier League.

 

And while the absence of a fresh centre-forward has the more pessimistic supporters concerned about Burnley and Sheffield United closing the gap at the top – Leeds have found themselves in a strong position before and saw promotion slip through their grasp – goalscoring certainly didn’t seem to be an issue when Farke’s side obliterated Cardiff City 7-0 on Saturday.

 

Leeds’ biggest home win in 53 years, and a timely return to form for Joel Piroe during what was the Dutchman’s most complete performance on the Elland Road turf.

 

“He’s the best finisher at this football club Joel Piroe, and he proved it,” former Leeds striker Michael Bridges smiled following the most one-sided victory of the campaign. “He makes that penalty look easy.

 

“He hasn’t got the running power and the pace to be the man who is going to be the ball over the top. What I liked about his performance [against Cardiff], and I admire so much as a striker, is the way that he has understood his role and his responsibility.

 

“‘I’ll drop in, I’ll make it tough for the defenders to go and mark us. If somebody does, it’s going to [create] a gap’.”

Leeds: Dobson, Rousseau, Drew Greene, Woodruff, Darcie Greene, Guy, Hughes, Danby (Smith 66′), Legge, Smart (C), and Oates (GK).

Gibrill-Keating, Turner, Simpson (GK), and Montgomery were not substituted.

Chealde: Shepley, John, Gillin, Birtwistle, Dunlop (Gindra 90′), Porteous-Williams, Dean, Houghton, Bradley (GK), Plant (Ruddock 87), Ahmed (C).

No substitutes were used: Ford, Freeman, and Duce.

Despite Jess Rousseau’s incredible goal in the first half, Leeds United Women lost to Cheadle Town in the FA WNL Division One North.

The game got off to a spirited start on a mild February afternoon, with both teams attempting to break the deadlock by taking advantage of early opportunities.

A lengthy descent from Sophie in Cheadle Ellie Dobson’s excellent defending allowed the Whites to clear their lines, but within minutes John saw striker Rachael Dunlop break off in pursuit, crossing for the charging Imogen Porteous-Williams.

Simon Wood’s team started moving quickly and made their way to the Stingers’ area before Amy Woodruff’s strong shot flew off a red shirt and out of harm’s way.

Moments later, Oates was engaged once more. At first, he made a fantastic save to block Porteous-Williams’ close-range attempt, but unfortunately for the home team, the ball fell fortuitously for the forward to bundle home on the second try.

Sarah Danby, a midfielder, attempted a quick-fire comeback by shooting an arrowed free kick towards goal, but it just missed Emma Bradley’s crossbar.

Following a series of corners, Darcie Greene’s bold long-range attempt pricked the busy stopper’s hands.

The Whites created a fantastic opportunity near the halftime mark when Drew Greene’s brilliantly woven assist put Woodruff through on goal.

Bradley had to make a spectacular diving stop as the attacker rushed into the area. The ball trickled after cannoning back off the forward.

 

Although Leeds United has a strong enough team to be promoted to the Premier League, it would be foolish to overlook the obstacles that might arise.

Daniel Farke is “staying awake” to potential additions prior to the deadline day since he is aware of this.

He has acknowledged that Brenden Aaronson has no direct backup, and he is also keeping an eye on the striker position due to Patrick Bamford’s injury issues.

Farke has, however, also emphasized how difficult it is to make improvements to a league-leading club.

The 7-0 thumping of Cardiff City on Saturday demonstrated the foundation of that theory.

Leeds has now gone undefeated in 13 games across all competitions, with six different scorers and a fifth consecutive clean sheet since Pascal Struijk returned.

 

Watch live coverage of today’s Championship match between Leeds United and Cardiff City.

With a spot in the Premier League up for grabs at the end of the season, English football’s second division is still a fierce and thrilling competition.

Leeds United is reportedly in negotiations with a club regarding the departure of a young player from Elland Road who shares an agent with Ao Tanaka.

With only a few days left in the January transfer window, the Whites still don’t have a new acquisition for Daniel Farke.

Farke was questioned about the rumors of any new additions ahead of Saturday’s Championship matchup against Cardiff City at Elland Road.

Regarding Leeds’ transfer plans, Farke stated, “The news is that I have to survive one more press conference.”

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Leeds United could be about to bring back an £11m attacking player to Elland Road, according to one journalist.

 

Leeds remain patient in January transfer window

The Whites are top of the Championship and on course to win promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke.

 

However, despite leading the way in the second tier, it is turning into a four-horse promotion battle alongside Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland, all of which have bolstered their squads with new signings.

 

The end for Wilfried Gnonto: Leeds plotting late move for “huge talent”

Leeds are yet to make a 2025 addition, although Farke previously admitted that a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in, saying: “There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.

 

“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.

 

“Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.

 

“If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”

 

 

In recent days, Leeds have taken Liverpool youngster Oakley Cannonier on trial at Thorp Arch, and there have also been links to Newcastle United full-back Matt Targett.

 

It could go down to the wire in regards to if a new signing is secured by the 49er Enterprises, but a familiar face could well return to Yorkshire, going off a new update.

 

Jack Harrison could make Leeds return

Sharing a Leeds transfer update for The Daily Mail, relayed by Caught Offside, journalist Ian Herbert said that Leeds want a striker, left-back centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

 

That winger could well be Jack Harrison, currently on loan at Everton, with Herbert stating the 28-year-old “may be the one heading to Leeds”.

 

“They [Leeds] badly want a striker – [draw against Burnley] revealed why – and also seek a left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

 

“If they had to put it all on one, it would be a striker, but PSR means they could end up with none. Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia didn’t want to go to Leeds, preferring Bayer Leverkusen on loan. Brighton’s Julio Enciso preferred a loan move to Ipswich.

 

“Jack Harrison, shot on confidence after a torrid period on loan at Everton, may be the one heading to Leeds.”

 

Jack Harrison for Everton

Things haven’t gone to plan for Harrison during his second season on loan at Everton, failing to score or provide an assist in 21 games in all competitions.

 

Harrison, who cost Leeds £11m from Manchester City, has also been an unused substitute under new Everton boss David Moyes for the last two wins against Tottenham and Brighton, so a return to Elland Road could make sense for all involved.

 

Jack Harrison’s career

 

Middlesbrough

Granted, Leeds ideally could do with a central attacker to rival Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph or a number 10 to challenge Brenden Aaronson, but a fresh returning face in Harrison may have to do for the second half of the season.

 

It takes two to tango. Farke could have gone with a more offensive line-up. He could have brought in Junior Firpo for Sam Byram and kept forward-thinking Joe Rothwell in the midfield rather than defensive specialist Ilia Gruev.

Leeds were untidy in the final third and definitely played safe at times, so the monotony that played out was a crime of joint enterprise but even that one, late Daniel James shot that finally forced Trafford into action presented an argument that Parker was the ringleader and most culpable for the Championship’s big game being such a big disappointment.

 

How do Burnley fans get to sleep at night? They watch Burnley. Speak to Turf Moor regulars and they will tell you that the atmosphere is largely flat and the lack of goals and chances make for a hard watch. Leeds fans have, justifiably, complained about the entertainment factor at times this season but Elland Road has seen twice as many home league wins as Turf Moor. The Whites have scored 35 at home compared with Burnley’s 15.

 

The problem is that Parker’s football works. It strangles a game so completely that opposition sides simply cannot score goals. And then even when they do get gilt-edged chances, like Sunderland did with a pair of spot-kicks, Trafford is there with heroics.

There is, with all due respect, a lot of dross in the division and Parker knows that if Burnley don’t nick a win at home then they’ll draw because they so effectively shut down opposition offences. Who can really complain about being unbeaten at home, third in the table and just three points off the top at this stage?

 

 

 

The other problem is that football has been allowed to become so results-focused and promotion from the Championship has become so financially significant that an entire season and a year in the life of a supporter can now be explained away under the phrase ‘getting the job done.’ It’s a very transactional thing. Strictly business. Get the points, get out of the league.

Function over fun. It’s not Parker or Farke’s fault that a relegated club faces a race against time to scramble back up the ladder before the parachute payments run out.

It’s not their fault that managers are judged so brutally and almost entirely on results. Taking risks in possession might give the rest of us a bit of a thrill, but when it’s their livelihood hanging in the balance and when you can play safe and still sit up near the top then can anyone be blamed for setting up to be solid?

 

That’s what Parker did, as expected with his Burnley team. Farke did too but at least Leeds had a little go. After a nervy couple of minutes in which Ethan Ampadu was uncharacteristically wayward with passes to the wings, Leeds began to look the more dangerous. Or maybe the more willing to attack. Jayden Bogle was one of few players on the pitch with a bit of urgency and adventure about him and he was at the heart of anything promising the visitors offered up.

 

Burnley’s best and only real moment came when ex-Leeds men Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony linked up so the latter could cross, with Zian Flemming heading wide.

 

 

 

The game settled into a bit of a pattern. Leeds had more of the ball but did little with it. Burnley mustered a few crosses. A minute of additional time at the end of the first half was more of a cruelty to the paying public than an opportunity for either side to give them something worth watching.

 

Farke said prior to the game that he prefers being top and being chased to having to do the chasing. The second half said that Burnley were content to sit back and do precisely no chasing.

Leeds were in control and giving an impression, if nothing else, that they wanted to win it. They just didn’t go gung-ho, because that was not and is never really Farke’s plan. The Clarets did eventually give Illan Meslier something to do in the 68th minute but his smart leg save from Anthony’s drilled effort didn’t count because the attacker had nudged last man Joe Rodon to concede a free-kick.

 

Leeds registered a shot that did actually count in the 88th minute and it very nearly pinched the points. Gruev’s corner came all the way through to James and he uncorked a beautifully-struck half volley that Trafford did well to palm over.

 

Farke was happy with a point. Parker was happy with a point. The Leeds fans gave their side a rousing ovation at full-time, suggesting they too were happy with a point.

A Burnley fan near the press box exploded with rage at the sight of it. “Think you’ve ****ing won something?” he spat in the direction of the travelling fans on the far side of the ground. No one won anything, there were no winners here. And that gentleman, like his fellow Clarets, has been sentenced to watch more of this from now until the end of the season.

Leeds might not find themselves in many genuine thrillers but you would at least back them to score more goals than Burnley. Both sides will be right there in the promotion picture come May and perhaps both will celebrate the great escape back to the Premier League. And no one will feel the least bit guilty about how they got there because the job got done.