Leeds United promotion rivals dealt huge set-back in massive boost to Whites hopes — YEP 29/3/24
Leeds United face Watford this evening but will see all of their promotion rivals in action beforehand.
By Kyle Newbould
Leeds United enjoyed an excellent start to Good Friday after
seeing Championship promotion rivals Leicester City lose 1-0 at Bristol City.
Leicester had the chance to reclaim top spot in the table
from Leeds, with their trip to Bristol the early kick-off and first game back
following the March international break. Enzo Maresca's side had been stumbling
but it was hoped that they would be able to reset ahead of the run-in
But another poor display saw the Foxes deservedly beaten by
Bristol, who climbed into 12th-place with the victory. Anis Mehmeti scored the
only goal of the game on 73 minutes, rifling in a wonderful effort after
Leicester's Jamie Vardy missed a number of gilt-edged chances.
Despite having those chances on a plate for Vardy to miss,
Leicester were below-par once again and were fortunate to go into half-time at
0-0, with Bristol seeing claims for a penalty denied. Wout Faes may also have
been sent off after seeming to bring down Tommy Conway through on goal.
The Foxes enjoyed more possession and control in the second half
but were unable to take one of several chances, with Vardy the most guilty
party. Following Mehmeti's effort, they were unable to build any real momentum
and eventually stumbled to a fourth defeat in six matches.
“For sure, absolutely,” Maresca said after full-time when
asked if he still had hope of automatic promotion. “It's not good to drop
points, to lose games at this moment but we need to be positive. The reason why
first of all, is for the points we have and second, because the performance is
there. In the end we didn't take our chances but hopefully soon we can.
Probably one positive result can change, and hopefully it will be soon.”
The defeat means Leicester have lost the chance to return to
the top of the Championship and they could fall out of the automatic promotion
places for the first time since September by the end of play on Friday. Victory
for Ipswich Town at Blackburn would see them climb into first, with Leeds able
to reclaim top spot with a win at Watford.
