Mighty Leeds Weblog

Boring! Words by Chris McMenamy The perfect gauge of any Leeds United performance at Elland Road is Big Leigh Nicholson’s choice of full-time music. Monday night saw the club’s announcer break out I Predict a Riot to celebrate a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle. He called time on Sunday’s painfully drab ninety minutes of goalless nothing by pressing play on The Killers’ Mr Brightside, the perfect full stop to an afternoon of mind numbing boredom — like the last song of the night at a wedding you regret going to. If you were to ask for a highlight from this 0-0 that wasn’t to do with Brenden Aaronson and Dan James offering nothing in attack, then I’d have to say the ninety second cameo of Jean-Matteo Bahoya looking comparatively like the best footballer that has ever lived. The young, unseen attacker rose from the United bench just as the fourth official prepared to signal that there would be a mere three minutes of added time. There was less than two minutes remaining by the time Lee...

Leeds United go into international break unbeaten in Premier League after 0-0 draw. As so often can be the case, the spectacular - Monday's battering of Newcastle United - was followed by something a lot more humdrum. Leeds United's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace will not live long in the memory, but when considered in the context of the season's opening stanza it plays its part. Heading into the extended hiatus, Leeds sit fifth in a Premier League table as one of only five unbeaten sides. The clean sheet also ensured that Leeds will go to champions Arsenal on 10th October with the division's meanest goals-against tally and just a three-point gap to the second-placed Gunners. That victory over Newcastle, or rather the manner of it, lent itself to a certain level of expectation prior to kick-off. Daniel Farke and James Justin both recognised as much in their pre-game utterances but sounded respective warnings that Palace's three points from their opening four gam...

By Tom Coates Daniel Farke has reflected on Leeds United’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace Leeds United manager Daniel Farke conceded his side could not “keep the fire burning” in Elland Road as they played out a goalless draw with Crystal Palace. Having been ruthless in their 4-1 rout of Newcastle United earlier in the week, Leeds were blunt as they failed to break down Palace. Leeds’ home was a cauldron of hostility as they clipped the wings of the Magpies under the Monday night lights, but an expectant crowd was given little to celebrate as the Eagles evaded a similar fate. Daniel Farke’s admission “I would take each and every night under the floodlights if I’m honest,” said Farke. “They're all human beings. “On Monday night, we come out, the whole stadium was already before kick-off, exploding, the floodlights are on, it's a special atmosphere. “Today, Sunday afternoon, everyone comes a bit more like, ‘come on, we want to be entertained’. It's also a b...

Leeds 0-0 Crystal Palace: Dominic Calvert-Lewin spurned Leeds’ best chance when firing straight at Walter Benitez in the second half Mark Walker Leeds extended their unbeaten start to the season but had to settle for a point from a goalless draw with much-improved Crystal Palace at Elland Road. Dominic Calvert-Lewin spurned Leeds’ best chance when firing straight at Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez in the second half after visiting defender Tyrick Mitchell was denied a winner by VAR. These are heady times at Leeds after they climbed up to third in the table last week after dismantling Newcastle 4-1 and although they are only five games into their second season back in the top flight, expectation was high among fans before kick-off. But Palace turned in one of their best displays of the season and will consider themselves unlucky to have secured only one point after creating the better chances. Given Palace had conceded more goals – 11 – than any other side in the top flight...

By Tom Coates The story of Leeds United’s Premier League draw with Crystal Palace The sense of ease that descended upon Elland Road prior to Leeds United’s meeting with Crystal Palace was almost unsettling. A 4-1 rout of Newcastle United, under the Monday night lights, had pundits purring and fans dreaming. Praise for the Whites flooded radio airwaves and TV shows, with the word ‘Europe’ creeping into conversations both in studios and on sofas. Palace, having lost three of their opening four league games and played in the Europa League just three days prior, almost had the look of lambs to the slaughter pre-match. For Leeds, it was a case of ensuring the narrative building around them continued to play out. For Palace, it was a case of rewriting theirs. As the sides played out a relatively drab goalless draw, you could argue neither succeeded. First half Both sides made tentative enquiries early doors, knocking gently on the door rather than forcing entry. Tarik Muharemov...

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United weren’t at their best but defended well to keep an important clean sheet. Leeds United were unable to match Monday’s electric performance but remain unbeaten in the Premier League after Sunday’s 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace. Daniel Farke named an unchanged line-up for the third Premier League game running, with Ao Tanaka keeping his place in a midfield three and Nico Elvedi picked over Jaka Bijol. The only squad change saw Ilia Gruev return from a five-month absence to replace the injured Harry Wilson on the bench. Palace had the first real opening inside 10 minutes, with Quinten Timber finding a pocket of space and sliding in Jorgen Strand Larsen. The striker got in behind Elvedi but was thwarted by a well-timed Tarik Muharemovic sliding tackle. The away side almost forged another opportunity when Strand Larsen nudged Muharemovic aside and played in Kamada, but his shot was blocked and rolled towards Trafford. Leeds’ best chance of the ope...

By Kyle Newbould The Leeds United defender is back fit and firing after recovering from a pre-season hamstring injury. Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson admits it feels ‘so good’ to be back fit after missing the start of the season through injury. Gudmundsson suffered a muscle injury during Leeds’ summer friendly win over Liverpool in August, missing the end of pre-season and early weeks of the new campaign. The 27-year-old got his first minutes at Brighton, playing the full 90 in a demanding 1-1 draw. The left-back also started Monday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United before being substituted around the 70-minute mark in some discomfort. Manager Daniel Farke said it was merely cramp after full-time and reiterated that point on Friday. Gudmundsson is therefore expected to get his third Premier League start of the season this afternoon when Leeds host Crystal Palace. And the Swede admits a good period of recovery has helped him to hit the ground running. “Obviously I d...

Leeds are currently on course for Europe James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc Leeds United headed into the last weekend before a three-week international break sat in a Champions League position. Brentford's win over Chelsea saw them knock Leeds down to fourth at the start of Saturday, but with two wins and two draws from their opening four games, Leeds will be delighted with their form and results regardless of where it sees them sit at this embryonic stage of the campaign. What an unbeaten start has done, on the back of a very impressive win over Newcastle United on Monday evening, is provide a question on whether objectives for the season need to be raised higher. There is a growing belief among some supporters that a European place could be up for grabs this season. It would take a big improvement on last season, but already Leeds are in a stronger place than last season to the rune of four points at this stage. We asked supporte...

My sort of Leeds Written by Calum Archibald All of the teams that ever achieved anything in Leeds have one thing in common — they’re crafted in the image of the city. For too long, Leeds has been a city on the periphery of the big conversations, which has been borne out in the serious underachiever tag that we have to live with. If you look at similarly sized one-club cities around Europe, you’re comparing Leeds United with Napoli, Ajax and Marseille, three sides with formidable records and trophy cabinets in their respective countries, as well as clear identifiable club cultures they lean heavily into. At its core, Leeds is a city with a chip on its shoulder. The mill town, the market town, the rugby league town. The biggest city in the biggest county, the spiritual home of ‘ow much. A city of grit, hard work and pride in itself. That’s the thing that struck me more than anything as Leeds tore through Newcastle with three goals in fourteen first-half minutes: Elland Road f...

The Birth of a Great Coach Written by Rob Conlon After Castellon were beaten at the death in last season’s play-off semi-final at Almeria, Pablo Hernandez walked over to the away end staring at his shoes, his bottom lip quivering, unable to look his supporters in the eyes. If only he’d gazed upwards, he’d have seen a sold out away end, holding shirts and scarves aloft, bellowing with pride at what the team had achieved and the promise of what could follow. As Pablo applauded the Castellon supporters after their latest away trip, the scene was much the same. The away end at Girona was sold out, only this time they were celebrating Castellon’s turn to snatch victory in the final ten minutes, scoring twice to come back from a goal down against a team that was playing in La Liga last term and the Champions League the season before last. It was the perfect result ahead of a week in which Hernandez celebrated a year in charge of his boyhood club. When he was appointed in September 20...

The Leeds United striker was snubbed for the World Cup but a home European Championships is still within reach Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Dominic Calvert-Lewin was clear of what last season signified for him amid his 14-goal haul. “It was more just to prove myself right,” he told BBC Radio Leeds last month. "I believe in my ability and what I’m capable of on a football pitch. Last season was about putting myself back where I belong.” The past 12 months have witnessed an incredible revival from the striker. By kick-off against Crystal Palace on Sunday, it will have been a full year since his first goal for Leeds United - a header against Wolverhampton Wanderers. On one sense, not much has changed since - the 29-year-old rising high to nod off Jayden Bogle to put Leeds 2-0 up against Newcastle United on Monday. But in most other senses, Calvert-Lewin’s trajectory has U-turned. He will have learned whether he has made the latest England squad by the time he walks...

By Susy Campanale Wilfried Gnonto admits he ‘missed Italy’ when playing for Leeds United and jumped at the chance to join Fiorentina. ‘I needed something different, as last season was not positive.’ The forward was a product of the Inter youth academy, but with limited options for regular playing time, he was sold to FC Zurich in 2020, then moved on to Leeds United in 2022. Despite earning appearances for the senior Italy squad at that time, his international career stalled with the Leeds United relegation, and this was one of the reasons behind his deadline day transfer to Fiorentina. It was reportedly a loan for €1m with option to buy for a further €15m at the end of the season. “This is my first senior club experience in Italy really, and I am happy to be at a club like Fiorentina, so I hope to repay their faith in me,” said Gnonto in a presentation press conference held today. “I am grateful to Roberto Mancini for the opportunity he gave me with Italy. Now I am focused ...

Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United: A dominant performance from Daniel Farke’s side saw them extend their unbeaten Premier League start Mark Walker Leeds United maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign and moved up to third place following a convincing 4-1 victory against Newcastle United at Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s side struck twice in two minutes during the opening half via a Lewis Miley own goal and a Jayden Bogle finish, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin added a third prior to the break. The dominance continued after the restart, with Noah Okafor adding a fourth to extend the advantage before substitute Bazoumana Toure managed a late consolation for the visitors. Earlier, Newcastle survived initial pressure when appeals for a Leeds penalty were turned down after the ball appeared to hit debutant Matias Fernandes-Pardo’s arm on the edge of the area. Visiting goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek subsequently made a low save to deny Bogle’s hooked effort, shortly b...

Leeds sniffed vulnerability and went for the kill in 4-1 horror show for Newcastle, writes CRAIG HOPE - this was a warning over where their season could end up, while Whites eye race for Europe By CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER Identical records coming into this, poles and goals apart coming out. Leeds bullied and bettered Newcastle and are deservedly up to third in the Premier League. Their unbeaten start is genuine and so are the prospects of them challenging for European football this season, nearly a quarter of a century after their last continental campaign. Newcastle’s start always felt less real, and so it proved on a night when Daniel Farke’s side were as brilliant and boisterous as those in the stands. Elland Road was a bear pit and, from the off, it was clear that their visitors were in for a mauling. To think, they’re in the process of making this place even bigger and more intimidating. Those words capture Dominic Calvert-Lewin, too. He should be in Thomas Tu...

Report: Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United. Leeds United continued their fantastic start to the new Premier League campaign with an emphatic dispatching of Newcastle United, scoring four goals to make it four unbeaten in the top-flight. A whirlwind first half saw Daniel Farke’s side take a 3-0 lead into the break before Noah Okafor added further gloss to the scoreline on the hour mark with a thunderous half volley! With Elland Road in fine voice under the lights, the hosts had penalty appeals turned away in the opening moments after the ball struck a Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s hand inside the area but neither Michael Salisbury nor the VAR gave the spot kick. As United searched for an opener, skipper Ethan Ampadu arrowed a powerful drive towards the top corner from distance but the ball cannoned off Dominic Calvert-Lewin and away from danger before it could test Lukás Hornícek in the Magpies’ goal. The keeper then made a fine intervention to deny Leeds the opener. James Justin ha...

By Stuart Rayner "All that money and you're not very good," sang the Leeds United fans. Well, not quite, but I will leave how the sentence ended to your imagination. The point was that a 4-1 win at Elland Road made the home team look far more likely to break English football's glass ceiling than the supposed richest club in the world, Newcastle United. Leeds' first three goals were all deflected, but you would be hard-pushed to argue the scoreline was not a fair reflection of a very one-sided game. They should be annoyed at the one, but will soon get over it. Of course, one swallow does not make a spring, but the home team are building a momentum right now whilst others are trying to find their feet. Because whilst the Magpies have gone backwards in 2026, the opposite is true of Leeds. People like to paint the Premier League as just a list of the country's wealthiest clubs but it is not quite that straight-forward. Having money is certainly a m...

Shubhansh Singh Leeds United were so keen on signing Mykhailo Mudryk that they were prepared to pay financial penalties to Chelsea if they did not give him an agreed amount of game time. After spending more than a year serving a doping suspension, the Ukrainian only recently become available again and Chelsea decided to loan him out. Leeds quickly emerged as interested suitors and sought to strengthen their attacking ranks by approaching Chelsea with a loan proposal for Mudryk. Chelsea initially rejected Leeds’ loan proposal, but the Whites remained in talks as they sought to find a way to bring Mudryk to Elland Road, with the winger keen on the move. However, the Yorkshire club were unable to reach an agreement with the Blues, allowing Tottenham Hotspur to step in and secure the Ukrainian on a season-long loan, with an option to buy set at £75m. It was suggested that Leeds did everything to get a deal for the 25-year-old, but Chelsea found it easier and more preferable to ...

By Kyle Newbould Part two of Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans’ post-transfer window sit down with local media. Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans admits the completion of two signings felt the ‘most unlikely’ of the club’s three deadline day scenarios. The Whites went into deadline day with five new faces already through the door but there still felt like plenty to do, most notably on the left side of the pitch. Gabriel Gudmundsson’s injury left Daniel Farke without a natural left-back for the time while interest in the likes of Julian Brandt and Mykhailo Mudryk suggested a left-winger was also high on the shopping list. Leeds eventually secured both positions, with Melvin Bard and Jean-Matteo Bahoya joining on loan from OGC Nice and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. In a post-transfer window sit down with local media, Evans said the club would have been ‘pretty comfortable’ with zero, one or two deadline day arrivals but getting both in felt like a ‘big win...

By Kyle Newbould Part one of Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans’ post-transfer window Q&A session. Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans insists the working relationship between himself, other key decision-makers and Daniel Farke has ‘never been better’ as talks continue over the manager’s future. Farke welcomed a total of seven first-team players into his squad across the summer, with close to £90million spent and the club’s transfer record broken on James Trafford. Two deadline day arrivals were announced when Melvin Bard and Jean-Matteo Bahoya joined on loan from OGC Nice and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. The Leeds boss is into the final year of his Elland Road contract, however, and has dodged recent questions over his future, instead pointing to more immediate points of focus like upcoming games or transfers. With that in mind, managing director Evans sat down with local media to answer questions on a wide range of topics. This is part one of that Q...