Why Crysencio Summerville's goal at Middlesbrough could be turning point for promotion-chasing Leeds United — YEP 24/4/24
SHOULD Leeds United achieve their cherished aim of automatic promotion back to the Premier League and avoid the dreaded play-offs, then one memorable moment in Middlesbrough will be recalled.
By Leon Wobschall
It came shortly after the hour mark of a thrilling game on
Monday evening when Crysencio Summerville scored with a delicious curler to
make it 4-2 and take his goals tally this season to 20.
The celebrations in front of the nearby away contingent at
the Riverside were akin to an outpouring of emotion and an explosion of joy
after a difficult spell in the club’s season. The moment felt undeniably big.
In the context of the game, it certainly was with Boro
refusing to go away in an epic spectacle, setting up a grandstand finale with a
second goal on the night from Emmanuel Latte Lath late on.
Boro threw the kitchen sink at Leeds in their bid to get a
leveller, but the visitors held out, just, to move back into second spot above
Ipswich Town. Leeds can move four points above Ipswich and pile on the pressure
in the race to the Premier League by winning at QPR on Friday night. Town visit
Hull City on Saturday night and then play their other game in hand at Coventry
City next Wednesday ahead of the final weekend.
On whether Summerville’s goal constituted a huge moment in
Leeds’ season, manager Daniel Farke said: “We knew we played a side in red-hot
form and Middlesbrough are always capable of scoring.
“When we were two goals up, it felt an important step and it
was shown more or less in the last minutes because they scored out of nothing
and it was important to have the two-goal lead.
“The lads know it is the crunch time of the season and how
important it is to be there with results and you can see this a little bit in
the celebrations (for Summerville’s goal).
“I think to analyse this season, we should wait a bit and do
it when the season is over, but I am happy as we went back to our best level
attacking wise and scored fantastic goals and created good chances and I have
to credit all of my players up front and I am pretty pleased with this.
“There was also a bit of criticism there because they had a
drier spell in the last (previous) week, but that’s the Championship. It was
more or less our first bad week in 2024 and sometimes, you have to accept this
and back them and give them some trust to get their confidence back.
“Apart from Patrick Bamford, they are just young lads in the
offence and they need this backing. They worked really well and they got
momentum back on their side.”
One worrying sight late on was substitute Dan James being
helped off by medical staff after taking a blow in the ribs, while Joe Rodon
also seemed to be struggling.
On a couple of potential concerns ahead of the trip to QPR,
Farke added: “Not so much with Joe. He had some problems with his calf, but it
was just a hit. I hope he comes through and will be ready for Friday. I’m a bit
concerned about Dan as it could be something with his core muscle. It’s really,
really unlucky as he’s a key player for us. It would be really bad news if he
had a major injury.
“We have to assess him, let’s hope and pray it’s not bad.
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