Why Joel Piroe was complaining to his Leeds United teammates as half-time Sheffield United debrief detailed — YEP 25/2/25
By Kyle Newbould
Leeds United’s red-hot striker got his customary goal during
Monday’s comeback win at Bramall Lane.
Joel Piroe was not happy with the lack of service his Leeds
United teammates provided during Monday’s 3-1 win at Sheffield United - but all
was forgiven when he belted in a customary goal.
Piroe scored Leeds’ third and final goal to complete a
second comeback in the space of eight days, with Daniel Farke’s side again
coming from 1-0 down to win it late on. Junior Firpo cancelled out a first-half
Illan Meslier own-goal mid-way through the second-half before Ao Tanaka’s deft
header won it on 89 minutes, sending the away end into rapture.
Tanaka’s winner came a little earlier than Pascal Struijk’s
last week and so there was still time for Leeds to grab a third, with Dan James
racing away before a simple pass allowed Piroe the time to rifle an effort
beyond Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper. That’s five in six games for the
Dutchman, who was in good spirits post-match despite previous grievances.
“The belief was there from the start,” Piroe told Sky Sports
following Monday’s massive win. “We said at half-time, the moment we score one
we’ll be able to score a second as well. It doesn't matter if it is 88 minutes
or 90, we always keep believing.
“I felt like the opportunity [to score] was there more
often. I was already complaining that they should pass it more often. I'm just
happy to contribute as well.”
Piroe is now on 15 league goals for the season, taking him
level with Norwich City’s Borja Sainz in the Golden Boot race, and his belting
effort reignited the away-end chaos that started with Firpo’s leveller and
continued long after full-time. Daniel Farke was a notable absence, with the
German high up on the gantry due to a one-game touchline ban, but even the
injured Ethan Ampadu headed across the pitch.
Goalscorers Firpo, Tanaka and Piroe got their flowers from
the travelling support, as did former Sheffield United defender Jayden Bogle.
And Leeds fans kept the away-end celebrations going as their heroes skipped
down the tunnel.
“It’s beautiful, it's what they deserve as well,” Piroe
added of the post-match scenes in the away end. “They've been outstanding even
when we concede early goals, they keep believing in us and we feel it from
them.”
Leeds are now in an incredibly strong position, having come
through a six-game period involving games against Burnley, Sunderland and
Sheffield United without tasting defeat. The Whites opened up a five-point gap
on the second-placed Blades while Burnley in third are seven short.