Illan Meslier truth, Ethan Ampadu injury concern, Leeds United transfer message — Leeds Live 25/2/25

Leeds United have a number of things to celebrate and consider after the win over Sheffield United.

Leeds United have a firm grip on the Championship promotion race following their 3-1 win away at Sheffield United on Monday evening.

The Whites had a very jittery first 25 minutes with Illan Meslier making a mistake to see the hosts open the scoring on 14 minutes. Leeds weathered the storm and managed to find an equaliser through Junior Firpo on 72 minutes.

The away end went wild after Ao Tanaka managed to head home in the 89th minute before Joel Piroe made sure that Sheffield United had no route back in with a powerful strike two minutes later. There are a lot of talking points to take from Monday evening’s events.

The gap

Leeds still retain their seven point gap to Burnley and the play-offs with the win, with just 12 games now remaining. Farke said in his post-match press conference that technically Leeds are in no better position than they were last week aside from having a game fewer.

The positive is that Leeds have now played each of the top four promotion rivals both home and away. Sheffield United have Burnley still to play while the Clarets still have an FA Cup campaign to manage.

Farke refrained from stating he has a points tally in mind but said you averagely need two points-a-game to get over the line for automatic promotion. Either way, Leeds are in the box seat and are in command of this promotion race.

Ampadu setback

Ethan Ampadu arrived at Bramall Lane but was left out of the squad due to a knee injury. The midfielder is due to be assessed in the coming days having sustained the issue in training. He could miss a number of games as a result given he might have damaged his cartilage.

It’s a blow for Farke, who was on the cusp of arguably naming his strongest XI. The manager has often underlined how much he values Ampadu in midfield due to the control he gives.

That showed against Sheffield United, with Leeds struggling to grip the midfield. Ao Tanaka and Gruev offered a balance of protection but gave up possession as a consequence.

Ampadu’s absence is felt and there may be argument to bring in back up this summer given that is now two big injuries for the Welshman.

Meslier’s mistakes

Meslier’s status as Leeds United’s long-term goalkeeper has been scrutinised a lot this season and this game supported claims for Farke to look for a new number one this summer.

The Frenchman dropped a long throw within the first few minutes to encourage Sheffield United to throw the ball into the mixer. Meslier palmed a corner towards his goal shortly after, Ilia Gruev bailing him out on the line.

The goal saw him make a terrific save onto the bar but Tyrese Campbell’s header off the post was not going in until he flapped it into the net. He did grow into the game and made some firm stops but there are some serious long-term thinking for the recruitment team to be had.

Such mistakes will not be as easily rescued and atoned for in the Premier League. A new goalkeeper may have been on the transfer radar before, but it might be the subject of more focus going forward.

A winning mentality

Leeds came back from going a goal behind for a second game running and in similarly dramatic style. The Whites of course staged that comeback against Sunderland last week and waited until the 89th minute to find the winner this time.

What makes the win more impressive is that Farke was not on the touchline for the game, having served a ban for yellow card accumulation, picking up his third yellow card in the midst of the winning goal against Sunderland.

They even had their captain absent, with Ampadu ruled out through a knee injury. It is the fine margins that determine the race for promotion and Leeds have come up trumps both times the odds were against them.