Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Kyle Newbould The Leeds United boss was formally charged by the FA on Wednesday. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is set to serve his one-game touchline ban during Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with Norwich City rather than risk further punishment through an appeal. Farke was formally charged with misconduct by the FA on Wednesday, having been sent off after full-time of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City. The Leeds boss approached referee Peter Bankes but insisted he neither acted aggressively nor used abusive language. The FA confirmed the reason for the charge on Wednesday. A statement read: “It’s alleged that the manager entered the field of play at full-time to confront the match official/s, which is contrary to Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, and he has until Friday 6 March to respond.” As with all FA charges, Farke holds the right to appeal but despite suggesting he did nothing to deserve the red card, he is expected to begrudgingly accept his punishment. That ...

By Stuart Rayner Awful match, horrendous gamesmanship, poor refereeing, an inconsistent VAR, Leeds United's first back-to-back home defeats under Daniel Farke... for the second game running there were plenty of smokescreens but when it came to what the Whites could control, the issue was the same. As defeats go, the 1-0 loss to Sunderland was pretty brutal, but "brutality" was what manager Daniel Farke felt his side were lacking. Yes, if video assistant referee Paul Tierney had presumably not nipped out for a coffee when Luke O'Nien had Pascal Struijk by the neck and shoulders, hauling him to the ground in the penalty area, things could have been different. Yes, if Sunderland had not reeled out a whole gallery of dark arts - and Stuart Attwell had not let them - to turn the game into one only its mother could love, momentum might - only might - have pushed Leeds to victory. There were plenty of other people for Leeds to legitimately complain about but it rin...

Leeds United director Peter Lowy has warned it's 'now or never' for the club's ambitious plans to expand Elland Road James Smailes and Amos Murphy Leeds United director Peter Lowy has warned it's 'now or never' for the regeneration of the area surrounding Elland Road. The Championship club is urging government backing for proposals that would see the stadium capacity increase from 37,645 to roughly 53,000. The Australian billionaire is championing what he describes as a once-in-a-generation chance to transform both the ground and its neighbouring districts. Lowy has cautioned that without prompt action, the opportunity for regeneration could be lost permanently. Speaking about the scheme, Lowy said: "Leeds is ready for it. If we don't get it done this time, it will never happen. It does need to be done in a timely manner though because people like myself and the capital that we have won't sit around for 10 years because we can invest whe...

By Graham Smyth The Verdict on Tuesday’s frustrating defeat to Sunderland. It is painfully apparent that nothing is going to be given to Leeds United so any rewards in the relegation run-in will come from one place and one place only. In the wake of a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland, Daniel Farke denied there was any complacency in the dressing room. It is still worth saying that just because you have earned points or deserved points against some of the best teams, it does not follow that points then simply arrive from winnable games. This one, against a fellow promoted side, under the lights at Elland Road was supposed to herald the start of the steady climb to sunlit uplands. Before kick-off, Leeds' Expected Goals [xG] created was exactly the same as the xG they had conceded. Lower midtable safety was surely beckoning. Beware the Ides of Marsch, however, because underlying numbers guarantee nothing. Before kick-off it was all set up for Leeds. Daniel Farke went to the well again...

By Graham Smyth The Leeds United manager was left bemoaning his side's wastefulness in the final third following defeat to Sunderland. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believes Sunderland will struggle to explain their 1-0 win at Elland Road but bemoaned his side's lack of 'brutality.' The Whites had 18 shots, only four of which were on target, won nine corners to Sunderland's two and enjoyed 70 per cent of the possession but lost to the visitors' only shot on target. A second half penalty, poorly struck by Habib Diarra, was enough to send Sunderland to the magic 40-point mark. And while Leeds again had cause for complaint with the officials having been denied what looked a stonewall penalty of their own in the first half, Farke's big issue was with what his side lacked in big moments. "The bloody result [was what went wrong]," he said. "Sometimes it's difficult and tough to take. It's football sometimes. You're so, so domina...

By Graham Smyth The Black Cats frustrated Leeds United with a smash-and-grab win on Tuesday. Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris reminded his players of their previous Elland Road experience prior to a 1-0 smash and grab win over Leeds United. Thirteen months after they conceded a 95th-minute goal to lose 2-1 in the Championship, the Black Cats defended their way to three points and revenge over the Whites. Though they created little and set up to frustrate the hosts, Sunderland took the lead with a second half penalty and then fought for their lives to guard their net. "Very proud," said Le Bris, whose side moved to the 40-point mark with the win. "Happy for the lads, the staff, the club and the fans. This win away at Leeds means a lot. It was a question of energy, togetherness, intensity. I think we defended really well. The first half was brilliant pressing wise. They went long often. It was important to win the first and second balls. We weren't brilliant with ...

By Stuart Rayner "Yea... oh!" went the Elland Road crowd as Karl Darlow got in the way of Habib Diarra's penalty, but could not keep it out. It was a frustrating night for Leeds United, who had a goal disallowed shortly before Sunderland took their 1-0 lead and shot against a post in the closing stages. The fans lashed out at Sunderland's "cheating b******s", and some sang "1-0 to the referee at full-time" but really, the home team only had themselves to blame for dominating a game but not taking it by the scruff of the net until they were behind. Leeds had a bad night, their manager had a bad night, referee Stuart Attwell had a bad night and at a time when the debate about the quality of football in the division is stepping up, the Premier League probably had a bad night. Without playing well, a Sunderland team riven by injuries had a very good night. Perspective is needed. Losing 1-0 to the Black Cats will not relegate Leeds, or turn a ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United took on injury-hit Sunderland under the Elland Road lights. Leeds United blew a chance to move nine points clear of the Premier League dropzone and ultimately suffered a second consecutive home loss as Tuesday night’s hosting of Sunderland ended in a 1-0 defeat. Chances were few and far between in a dull first half, Whites midfielder Anton Stach going closest with a powerful low free-kick from the edge of the box that keeper Melker Ellborg tipped wide with a flying save just after the half hour mark. A foul on Brenden Aaronson in the second minute of stoppage time gave Leeds and Stach another free-kick in an almost identical position but the German smashed his shot into the wall before Sunderland cleared for a throw. Ethan Ampadu sent his throw into the mixer but Sunderland cleared and quickly attempted to launch a counter but referee Stuart Attwell blew up for half-time, causing a furious reaction from several Black Cats players. Nilson Angulo had...

By Alex Grant A leading board member at Leeds United has thrown the club’s support behind West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit plans. Peter Lowy, Principal of Lowy Family Group and Director of Leeds United FC, joined other businesses, investors and political leaders in reaffirming their support for a mass transit system following a visit by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy. It follows commitments from Chancellor Rachel Reeves to continue investing in the scheme beyond 2032 – in addition to funding to transform rail services in the region as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. Leeds United is the latest high-profile organisation to throw its weight behind mass transit, alongside the National Wealth Fund and leading developer Muse. "I’m delighted that the Mayor and Secretary of State have reaffirmed their commitment to Mass Transit and we are here to support this important project. Mass Transit is vital to unlock the full potential of south Leeds and truly connect the city,” Peter Lo...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has spoken about his red card against Manchester City for the first time. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says he didn't swear at referee Peter Bankes after the Man City defeat and believes his full-time red card should be quashed. Farke was visibly frustrated with a number of officiating decisions during the 1-0 loss at the hands of the title chasing visitors, but the lack of time added on for during stoppage time was his biggest issue. Bankes spoke to Man City players on a couple of occasions to address time wasting and showed a yellow card, but Farke believes there was not enough time added on to the minimum of six that was shown on the fourth official's board. When the full-time whistle sounded Farke congratulated Pep Guardiola and then ran onto the pitch towards the referee, who produced a red card. Farke insists he used no foul language and was simply attempting to ask the referee why he gave a yellow for time wast...

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Elland Road. Leeds United can feel pride, disappointment and a little fury after a 1-0 defeat by Premier League title chasers Manchester City at Elland Road. The Whites started brilliantly and should have gone ahead in the game, before a goal of typical brilliance from the visitors. Leeds ended the game firmly on top and should have had a penalty for handball, before the game was ended early in Daniel Farke's estimation. That was why he set off like a raging bull to confront the officials at full-time, earning a straight red card. Here is the YEP take. Good day Karl Darlow The goalkeeper has recovered from his mistake against Arsenal to do what he was brought in to do last season as well, steadying things between the posts. His performance against Man City was what Leeds needed. Smart shot stopping and efficient kicking. He helped give Leeds a platform by putting...

By Graham Smyth The Verdict on Leeds United's frustrating defeat against Manchester City. If Leeds United cannot take momentum from their performance in a 1-0 defeat by Manchester City then perhaps they can take righteous anger and turn it into rocket fuel. There was enough blame to apportion to Leeds themselves in the aftermath of an intense dust-up with the title-hunting visitors that the officials could not be handed all of it. The hosts had chances enough to draw or win the game and took none of them. But referee Peter Bankes, his team and VAR cannot be let off the hook and their contribution propelled Daniel Farke onto the pitch and straight into a red card at full-time. His anger continued to burn even after the sending off, captain Ethan Ampadu having to restrain him, and will likely still simmer deep down as he prepares his team for Tuesday's clash with Sunderland. A clash he will have to watch from the gantry. Farke said before the game that his side would have...

Leeds United played host to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and a chorus of boos were heard around Elland Road as the game was halted in the 13th minute to allow players to hydrate Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter Kick It Out have released a statement condemning crowd behaviour at Elland Road on Saturday, as a break allowing players to hydrate for Ramadan during Leeds United vs Manchester City was booed. Loud jeers echoed around the stadium as Muslim players paused 13 minutes into the action between Leeds and City. The interruption was pre-arranged, with an explanation being shown on the scoreboard inside the ground which read: "As tonight's match takes place during the holy period of Ramadan, play has been paused to allow players to break their fast." However, boos rang out as the brief pause in play took place. Asked about the situation following the match, Leeds assistant Eddie Riemer said: "I am focused on the game and don...

By Stuart Rayner Leeds United assistant manager Eddie Reiner explained Daniel Farke let his frustrations boil over because referee Peter Bankes did not add more time to his side's home game against Manchester City. When the match hit 90 minutes it was announced that a minimum of six minutes would be added, but Farke was angry no more was put on top, and was red-carded at the final whistle for aggressively approaching the referee. Adding to his frustration would have been the feeling that Leeds were so close to taking something from a game they lost 1-0. Antoine Semenyo's goal in first-half stoppage time made the difference, but Leeds had good chances before that, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson failed to take. Farke's punishment meant he was unable to take the post-match press conference, and he will not be allowed on the bench for Tuesday's Premier League home game against Sunderland. "We had six minutes' added a time and obviously...

By Graham Smyth The Leeds United boss was shown a red card after the final whistle on Saturday. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke's full-time red card was down to his frustration over referee Peter Bankes' time keeping as Man City won 1-0 at Elland Road. Farke's assistant Edmund Riemer took the post-game press conference following the manager's straight red card at full-time. Anger at the officiating boiled over as Farke ran straight onto the pitch to remonstrate with referee Bankes, who responded instantly with his red card. Farke then had to be restrained by his captain Ethan Ampadu as he made further complaints. Leeds were denied a penalty for handball in the late stages and officials decided not to act on a stamp by Rayan Cherki on Ilia Gruev earlier in the second half. Six minutes of time were added on but Leeds felt Bankes blew for full-time too quickly given what had occurred during the stoppage time. Riemer explained: "I had a short chat with [Farke]...

By Stuart Rayner For the second time against Manchester City, Leeds United were able to take encouragement, if not points. Just as well that unlike in late November, they have a bit of a cushion for moral victories. Not that they looked very happy with their lot at full-time as Daniel Farke was red-carded for getting in the face of referee Peter Bankes, and Pep Guardiola – having already taunted the home fans with a blown kiss – stepped in to separate the players. City won 1-0 thanks to an Antoine Semenyo goal, but had Leeds been a little more ruthless it could have been them celebrating at full-time. As it was, they pushed Guardiola's title-chasers right to the end, going at them with a 4-4-2 led by two big strikers in the final stages. The Whites were able to take a new tactical blueprint from their pre-Christmas trip to Eastlands. This game did not throw up that, just reassurance that their new ways of working are panning out reasonably well. They could have dropped ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United took on Manchester City under the Elland Road lights. A host of brilliant Leeds United chances ultimately counted for nothing as title-chasing Manchester City ended the club’s brilliant record under the Elland Road lights with a 1-0 success which ended with a Daniel Farke red card. Leeds made a superb start that matched the cauldron of noise inside Elland Road and the Whites should have been ahead with just four minutes on the clock. Jayden Bogle's excellent pass down the right channel released Brenden Aaronson who sent a perfect ball into the box for Dominic Calvert-Lewin who was free six yards out but sent his first time shot wide of the left hand post. It was, though, just the start of a host of good chances for Farke's Whites who were unable to take any of them, Calvert-Lewin brilliantly turning Marc Guehi but firing just wide from a tight angle and Aaronson prodding another shot wide from a Bogle cross. The best chance, though, Calvert...

Fresh legs would help but that is not necessarily the main dagger that is killing Leeds United so late in games Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Leeds United have been praised for their conversion from set-pieces this season and rightly so. Their tally of 13 is the same amount that they managed throughout the whole of last season’s title-winning Championship campaign. There is a reason why Leeds honed in on tall players this summer. Meanwhile, Anton Stach’s long-range missile at Aston Villa was their third direct free-kick of the season, having failed to register any last term. It would be remiss to brand United as set-piece merchants given that two-thirds of their goals have come from open play - and also because they have a problem defending them too, something that has perhaps escaped the attention somewhat. Leeds have conceded 12 times from set-pieces, only one fewer than the amount they have scored from dead balls. That is the fifth-highest in the league. Even more ...

Oh my god February 23, 2026 Written by: Rob Conlon When I close my eyes at night I dream of striking a football as sweetly as Anton Stach. From the daring of its imagination to the quite frankly sickening brutality and beauty of its execution, Stach’s free-kick at Villa Park is the type of goal I like to imagine myself scoring for Leeds United as I let my mind wander when I have more important things to do, or when I’m staring wistfully out of a train window, or when I’m sitting on the toilet. It’s the type of sensation I trick myself into remembering as the rare occasions I also connected with a football properly when playing in local parks with jumpers for goalposts or five-a-side halls growing up. Yet deep down, I know those moments were even fewer that I care to admit, and are undermined by the fact that almost every time it was a complete fluke, a brief accident courtesy of the law of probability. Anton Stach, on the other hand, meant it — and that meant it was all the m...

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Leeds United fell just short of a famous away day victory in Birmingham but drawing with Aston Villa is no mean feat. There are far more winnable games on the horizon for the Whites, so taking a point away from Villa Park can be seen as a bonus. The problem is that until the 88th minute, Leeds were taking all three points home with them. Here's the YEP take. Good day Anton Stach Welcome back, Stach. As reminders go, this told everyone in no uncertain terms just how important the German has come to Leeds in the Premier League. He was everywhere. A menace. And that goal was a beauty. Goal of the Season for Leeds, perhaps. Ethan Ampadu He might not have had it all his own way after Ross Barkley came on but the skipper's performance was superb. Prior to the latter stages he was the dominant force in the game. Karl Darlow Exactly what Leeds needed against a team who can...