Middlesbrough 3 Leeds United 4: Whites survive huge scare to leapfrog rivals with star double — YEP 22/4/24
Leeds United went to Middlesbrough knowing that a win would put them back in the Championship’s top two.
By Lee Sobot
Leeds United moved back into the Championship's automatic
promotion places with a thrilling 4-3 success at Monday night's hosts
Middlesbrough in which star man Crysencio Summerville added to his brilliant
tally with a double. Leeds squandered two good chances in the fourth minute as
Ethan Ampadu failed to get a free header on target and Georginio Rutter then
sliced a volley on the follow-up attempt.
Instead, Boro went ahead just three minutes later through
Isaiah Jones who tapped home into an empty net after Emmanuel Latte Lath had
been played in and clashed with Illan Meslier.
Leeds, though, were then awarded a penalty in the 13th
minute as Anfernee Dijksteel took down Rutter on the edge of the box and an
ice-cool Summerville stepped up to convert a fine spot kick into the bottom
left corner.
Just five minutes later, Leeds found themselves ahead
through Patrick Bamford who stormed into the Boro box through a sleeping
defence to convert a Junior Firpo cross from the left flank.
But Boro produced a strong response and the hosts drew level
on the half hour mark through Latte Lath who received the ball on the edge of
the box and worked space before unleashing a fierce drive that Meslier was
unable to stop.
An incredible first half then took another twist in the 40th
minute as Leeds went back ahead through Willy Gnonto who was played in by
Summerville and blasted home a powerful finish.
Leeds should have then added a fourth goal just two minutes
later as Gnonto slid in Bamford but the Whites no 9 saw his attempt to find the
far left corner tipped away by Boro keeper Seny Dieng.
Back came Boro and Samuel Silvera cut in from the left flank
and unleashed a low curler that Meslier got down to save. As part of six
minutes added time, another effort from Silvera then flew wide as a crazy half
ended with Leeds 3-2 in front.
Boro began the second half by dominating possession and
Meslier was forced to tip a cross from Lewis O'Brien over the bar. Meslier then
dallied on the ball and Latte Lath charged down his attempted clearance though
the ball flew well wide.
Yet Leeds finally opened up clear daylight just after the
hour mark through Summerville who was played in by Rutter and then cut into the
box in trademark fashion before producing a beautiful curled finish into the
far right corner.
Bamford then had the ball in the net for a second time in
the 66th minute but the striker was flagged offside. Summerville also went
extremely close to completing a hat-trick in the 70th minute with an effort
that flew just wide, narrowly evading Bamford.
At the other end Finn Azaz blasted a shot into the side
netting as Boro looked to respond before a superb tackle from Alex Bangura
thwarted substitute Dan James who was through on goal.
Middlesbrough, though, then set up a grandstand finale as
Latte Lath got in behind the Whites defence and flicked home a header with
three minutes left.
