Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s verdict and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s hugely important victory against Wolves at Elland Road. Leeds United teamed up with Brighton and a former Elland Road hero to pile even more misery and pressure on relegation-threatened Spurs. The Whites took a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and then saw Spurs concede a late, late goal to draw 2-2 with Brighton on Saturday evening. Georginio Rutter's goal denied Tottenham their first Premier League win of 2026 and left his old club Leeds eight clear of Spurs with five games remaining. Here's the YEP take. Good day Noah Okafor A man on fire. Five goals and three assists in his last seven games has been huge for Leeds. He was so hungry in the first half against Wolves and they struggled to contain him. Took the touch that set up James Justin for his spectacular goal and then scored a lovely one himself. Clinical, in a big game. Okafor is establishing himself as the mai...

By Graham Smyth The Verdict on Leeds United’s massive 3-0 Premier League win at home to Wolves. Leeds United are well on their way to rubberstamping Premier League status and changing a long-held, deep-rooted narrative. It has taken 33 games to put the Whites on the edge of survival, but altering a club's mindset takes a lot longer than that. There was a perfect example of how this club and its fanbase tends to think in the 75 minutes prior to their 3-0 win over almost-relegated Wolves. Dan Bentley had not played a single minute of senior football this season before being pressed into action at Elland Road. The jokes wrote themselves. Lev Yashin reincarnate. Man of the Match award claimed already. Etc etc. Daniel Farke is not a big fan of this ingrained expectation that when it comes to the crunch Leeds will shoot themselves in the foot, or the face. Doing a Leeds has not been a phrase associated with happiness for a long time. He and others among the hierarchy have been de...

By Stuart Rayner Daniel Farke praised Leeds United's "maturity" for seeing out a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers he said was more comfortable than it felt. When they went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, the Whites were cruising to the win that would put them nine points above the relegation zone ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's evening kick-off against Brighton and Hove Albion. They laboured from there, not adding a decisive third goal until Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty five minutes into stoppage time. "I just thought we were playing a bit rubbish," was James Justin's verdict on how the team played after Noah Okafor followed up his spectacular opener. His manager disagreed. "I wouldn't say rubbish, it was just a game where it was more important to win the three points and you feel it in the crunchtime as a player," he commented. "When we are 2-0 up, you're always a bit in between – should we keep going and press...

By Graham Smyth Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side capped a fantastic week with victory against Wolves at Elland Road. Daniel Farke says Leeds United's survival job is not done but they are in a fantastic position to go on and achieve it after a 'fully deserved' 3-0 win over Wolves. The Whites were well worth the three points thanks to a rip-roaring start to the game in which they scored twice in two minutes before the 20-minute mark. James Justin's spectacular bicycle kick was followed by Noah Okafor's fifth goal in his last five Premier League outings. Leeds had other chances and Karl Darlow pulled off a spectacular second half save to preserve his clean sheet, but it wasn't until time added on that Dominic Calvert-Lewin won and scored a penalty to make the three points safe. Leeds moved onto 39 points with their second victory of the week, piling pressure on Spurs in 18th place. Farke admitted he was nervous about this game, coming hot on the heels ...

Leeds 3-0 Wolves: James Justin, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the goalscorers for the hosts Mark Walker Leeds took another big step towards Premier League safety with a 3-0 win against all-but-relegated Wolves at Elland Road. Quickfire first-half goals from James Justin and Noah Okafor put Leeds in control, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stoppage-time penalty sealed back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. Daniel Farke’s side moved six points clear of the bottom three after Monday night’s 2-1 win at Manchester United, and their ninth league win of the season lifted them further clear of the bottom three. Rock-bottom Wolves began the day 15 points adrift of safety, and their relegation could be confirmed this weekend if other results go against them. Leeds burst out of the blocks as Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley into a smothering save in the first minute and James Justin headed over soon after. Calvert-Lewin’s cutback...

By Stuart Rayner For 20 minutes Leeds United put on a show force before sleepwalking through more than 70 minutes of football. After such a promising start, their 3-0 win was not a classic and the Whites' mission this season is not quite accomplished, but it is pretty close to. Victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers opened up a nine-point gap to Tottenham Hotspur and six to Nottingham Forest before the rest of the relegation-threatened teams took to the field. But what is about the Whites and 2-0 leads? For three games running they have made work of getting over the line from there, but for three games running they have and that is all that really matters. And this time they did actually score that decisive third, just not until stoppage time. Early on it looked like they might run up a cricket score in something approaching cricket weather – well, the sun was out, anyway – but lovely goals for James Justin and Noah Okafor looked like being all the punishment Wolves would...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United knew victory against Wolves at Elland Road would take them nine points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Leeds United gave their quest for Premier League survival another massive boost with a 3-0 win at home to Saturday’s visitors Wolves which booted the Whites further clear of the drop zone and brought new rivals into view. Five days on from Monday night’s brilliant 2-1 win at Manchester United, Noah Okafor continued his stellar recent run with another goal and assist - the winger setting up James Justin to score the game’s opening goal with an amazing finish overhead kick. Daniel Farke’s Whites took a 2-0 lead into the break and the second half became a bit of a non-event until finally livening up towards the closing stages, Leeds making absolutely sure of victory as Dominic Calvert-Lewin thumped home a 95th-minute penalty awarded for a foul on the Whites no 9. The victory took Leeds up to 39 points with five games remaining, nine points...

By IAN HERBERT, DEPUTY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER The number of former footballers who have been collectively defrauded of millions of pounds could be far greater than originally thought. Former Premier League stars including Danny Murphy, Brian Deane and Rod Wallace are among the victims of a scandal that campaigners hope to force the Government to act upon. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed this week that talks will take place with the Treasury to seek a resolution to the long-running case involving the ex-footballers, who are part of the V11 campaign group. The group is made up of 11 former players who invested with Kingsbridge Asset Management in the 1990s and 2000s. All have been pursuing a resolution to their case after being formally recognised by police as victims of financial crime, while continuing to face substantial tax liabilities. At Prime Minister's Questions this week, Labour MP Jo White compared the issue to the Post Office scandal. She said: 'Workin...

By Tom Coates Football finance expert lays out how Leeds United can get themselves established in the Premier League Leeds United have been told what they need to in order to become established in the Premier League by a football finance expert. When clubs secure promotion to the promised land, matching the quality of clubs who are established there often proves tricky. In recent years, the worrying trend of promoted clubs going straight back down has shone a light on the significant financial disparity between England’s top two tiers. Daniel Farke was given funds to bolster his ranks last summer, yet the money he was afforded pales in comparison to what was spent by many of the club’s rivals. Football finance expert on Leeds United Speaking to Football Insider, former Manchester City adviser Stefan Borson has claimed a gradual increase of the wage bill following each season of survival is the way to go. He said: “The challenge really is, can they stay in the Premier Le...

By Stuart Rayner "People are always telling me Leeds don't do things the easy way." If James Justin did not believe them then, he certainly will after the last two games. But here's the thing: Leeds reached a first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years, then won a league match at Old Trafford for the first time in 45. Neither were as comfortable as they ought to have been. Leeds were 2-0 up at West Ham United after 90 minutes yet had to ride their luck just to make it to a victorious penalty shoot-out. At Old Trafford on Monday they were 2-0 up again, playing ole football against 10 men. A 21-pass move shortly after Lisandro Martinez’s red card was not quite Southampton 1972 (YouTube it) but the identity of the opponent made it sweeter. Having to endure a ferocious fightback in a final half-hour that was more like basketball but where only Casemiro got on the scoreboard perhaps made the win more valuable than the history or even the league table would suggest. ...

By Stuart Rayner Leeds United rewrote another bit of club history at Old Trafford on Monday, but manager Daniel Farke urged them to "stay humble" until the real celebrations can start. Because whilst Farke is enjoying the ride, he will not be happy until they reach their destination – Premier League survival. Leeds are six points clear of the relegation zone, with four of their remaining six matches against teams below them in the table, after their 2-1 win at Manchester United. Supporters of a club who had not won a league game at Manchester United since 1981 were elated to inflict a first home defeat on their fierce rivals since Michael Carrick was appointed manager. But in Farke's eyes it makes Saturday's visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who could be relegated that day, one of Leeds' most difficult this season. "I'm staying humble, not being overconfident and celebrating already," he insisted after two first-half Noah Okafor goals saw...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United’s history boys keep adding to the growing list of achievements under Daniel Farke and what they did to Manchester United at Old Trafford will be remembered for years to come. Manchester United have not taken it very well with strong complaints about the referee and VAR from their manager, players and ex-players since full-time. But in stark contrast to the hysteria on that side of the Pennines, there’s a warm glow over West Yorkshire. Here’s the YEP take on what transpired on Monday night in Manchester. Good day Daniel Farke. He got Leeds up, he's guided them into an FA Cup semi-final and in ending a 45-year wait for a league win at Old Trafford he's put the Whites in a great position to keep them up. Farke likes talking about creating bits of history and in the space of eight days he and his players have managed it twice. Their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and a first away win in the league against Manchester United is the stuff of dr...

By Graham Smyth The Verdict on Leeds United's momentous 2-1 win at Old Trafford. When you wait 45 years to beat your most bitter rivals in the league on their turf the manner of victory matters little but Daniel Farke's Leeds United fully deserved their bit of history - their latest bit of history. A point would have been a fine result at Old Trafford for a relegation-threatened side sitting just three clear of the drop zone. After all, Manchester United were flying under Michael Carrick. Third in the table and looking to consolidate their Champions League spot, the hosts were playing their first game since March 20 so could either be described as rested or rusty. Leeds, on the evidence of their start and subsequent performance, were ready. Farke went with a line-up with some intent about it. Ao Tanaka retained his place in central midfield after doing well in the FA Cup and with Brenden Aaronson, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the side Leeds had some pace, po...

Manchester United 1-2 Leeds: Daniel Farke’s side picked up their first league win at Old Trafford since 1981 to take a huge step towards survival Richard Jolly at Old Trafford A terrible night for a relegation-threatened team who play in white. Although that team, admittedly, is Tottenham Hotspur. For Leeds United, this was a seminal, spectacular evening; a historic one, too, though even the significance of a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981 felt less immediate than the growing probability they will stay up. But for Michael Carrick and Manchester United, even a rousing attempt at a rescue act could not alter the combination of a wretched first half and a dreadful result. It was compounded by the consequences, with Lisandro Martinez’s comeback short-lived as he was sent off for grabbing Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. Just when it seemed they were certainties to qualify for the Champions League, Manchester United contrived to inject an element of doubt. Carrick lost his 1...

By Stuart Rayner Leeds United conjured up a classic of a game to win at Manchester United for the first time in the league since 1981. With an hour gone, it really should have been a gentle procession to victory. The Whites were two Noah Okafor goals up when Lisandro Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's pony tail of all things. Within no time Leeds were playing ole football lapped up by the away end. Yet a team who threw away a two-goal lead at West Ham United eight days earlier very nearly did so again. All's well that ends well, perhaps, but the Whites made a dog's dinner of a big win for them. The 2-1 success took them to 36 Premier League points and with three home games left, they should get to safety. But then they should have cruised to victory on Monday night. Nothing is ever simple with a football club who really should carry a health warning rather than a sponsor's logo on their shirts. This game was like going out for on...

Man United 1-2 Leeds United: Rusty Red Devils made to pay for utterly shambolic errors in front of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, writes CHRIS WHEELER - with the writing on the wall for £50m man By CHRIS WHEELER, NORTHERN SPORTS WRITER Mankind had successfully travelled around the far side of the moon – and could feasibly have done so again – during the 24-day break since Manchester United last kicked a ball in anger. Four blank weekends had passed across an international break and a pause for the FA Cup quarter-finals that allowed last night’s opponents Leeds to maintain some match sharpness while United were at a training camp in Dublin. It’s the kind of interruption that can either allow teams to refresh and refocus on the final leg of the season, or it can knock them off their stride at a crucial point of the campaign. On a wildly unpredictable night at Old Trafford, United discovered to their cost that it was the latter. A second defeat in 11 games under head coach Michael Carrick...

By Lee Sobot Inside Elland Road: Historic FA Cup moment Leeds United resumed their Premier League survival bid with Monday night’s clash against fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. Leeds United gave themselves an enormous boost in their quest for Premier League survival as a brilliant brace from Noah Okafor sealed a 2-1 win at arch rivals Manchester United for a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981. Swiss international attacker Okafor was one of three Leeds injury doubts for the contest but all three of them started and two excellent Okafor finishes in the first half ultimately gave his side a massive three points. A dominant Whites could and should have been out of sight at half time and again after Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez was sent off midway through the second half for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. Despite having a man less, the Red Devils set up a grandstand finish as Bruno Fernandes teed up Casemiro to start a potential comeback...

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s incredible FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham. Leeds United are going to Wembley after a madcap FA Cup quarter-final win over West Ham United. The Whites threatened to throw away a glorious chance to make some history, squandering a two-goal lead, before holding their nerve to win it on spot-kicks. Here's the YEP take. Good day Pascal Struijk The defender has been at Leeds for eight years so if anyone in the dressing room knows what this means, it's him. The pressure was on him for that deciding spot-kick and though he evidently didn't mean to hit the post, he found the net to put his club in the FA Cup semi-final. The shootout and subsequent history achieved rendered worthwhile the joy-to-despair journey he and his team-mates went on in this quarter-final. And that moment, running to the away end, will live with him forever. Lucas Perri We can talk about the wobble, because there was on...