Daniel Farke on a special Leeds United win and a 'fairytale' moment for Archie Gray against Championship leaders Leicester City — Yorkshire Post 23/2/24
DELIGHTED Leeds United manager Daniel Farke dedicated the club’s thrilling come-from-behind win over league leaders Leicester City to the club’s supporters after ‘many disappointments and days of suffering’ in the previous few seasons.
By Leon Wobschall
A incredible final period of the game saw Leeds, trailing
1-0 after Wout Faes’ early goal, draw upon their reservoirs of character to
summon a huge moment in their season en route to a ninth straight league
victory for the first time since 1931 and recording a league double over the
Foxes, whose lead is now down to six points.
Maiden goals for the club from substitute Connor Roberts and
Archie Gray – who switched to left back late on - put United 2-1 ahead and
there was still time for Patrick Bamford to get the final touch to a free-kick
from another replacement in Dan James to put gloss on a special evening as
Leeds claimed their 2,000th win in their 104-year history.
Farke, whose side moved three points clear of third-placed
Ipswich as they maintained their unbeaten home record this term, said:
“Overall, it was a great evening for everyone connected with Leeds United.
"To be there with a ninth (league) win in a row and be
unbeaten at Elland Road...I know we are there at the moment with many
record-breaking statistics. But the feeling and spirit is even more important.
"You could feel in the celebration of the whole stadium
and what it means to our supporters and everyone after really tough years and
many disappointments and days of suffering.
"Right now, to experience such a period when everything
feels united here, players, staff, supporters and the whole club is great.
"I am happy and delighted for our supporters that they
are able to celebrate such a moment together with us and enjoy the weekend in a
proper, proper way for sure.
"I think we created the better chances in the first
half. I thought we were a bit unlucky to be behind at half time and then in he
first 20 minutes of the second half, I thought we were lucky not to concede.
"But in the last 15 to 20 minutes, we deserved our goal
as we were on it and put pressure on them and won the duels and the goals were
all a manner of will, big heart and fighting spirit. It’s what I like a lot as
we’ve had so many great team goals with unbelievable moment and nice on the
eye.
"It says a lot for the spirit we have.”
On a first senior strike for the club from Gray, given his
family history with the club, Farke commented: "It’s a bit like a
fairtytale in such an important game and to be there with your first goal on
this level, I thought him before that the first goal will be a scruffy, three
times deflected strike.