Furious Leeds United boss Daniel Farke blasts linesman after Middlesbrough controversy — Leeds Live 8/4/25
Leeds United dug deep to grind out three precious points in their promotion quest
After Ao Tanaka of Leeds United has his goal ruled out for
offside, manager Daniel Farke reviews the footage and gets irate with the
officials
Angry Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was left fuming at
linesman Darren Williams, despite their priceless win at Middlesbrough. Three
points at the Riverside Stadium tonight lifted the Whites back to the summit
after surprising slip-ups from promotion rivals Burnley and Sheffield United.
The only goal came in the second minute when Daniel James
bundled in Manor Solomon's low delivery. It was the Wales international's 12th
goal of the season.
Boro had their moments but the Whites dominated the first
half for long periods. Crowd favourite Ao Tanaka wrongly had a goal chalked off
for offside in the 34th minute. Solomon swung in a peach of a cross to the back
post and Tanaka turned the ball in from inside the six-yard box but it was
disallowed by assistant referee Darren Williams. Replays showed the Japan
international was onside. Daniel Farke and his coaching staff went berserk at
the decision in his technical area.
Both sides created opportunities in an entertaining second
half. Finn Azaz and Delano Burgzorg tried their luck for Boro and James fizzed
a dangerous ball across the face of goal at the other end.
Substitute Patrick Bamford was denied a second in the final
quarter. The striker fired home after great work from Wilfried Gnonto but the
goal was also disallowed for offside.
Farke told Sky Sports: "It was crucial today to get
back to a clean sheet. We have conceded a few too many goals in the last few
games. We knew we would play an excellent, red-hot, in-form Middlesbrough side
who want to be structured against the ball but you can't deny everything
against them. They are such a good side and we had a little bit of luck in a
few situations when they had their chances.
"But on the other hand, I think it was important to
have many periods where we controlled the game. We were so dangerous on the
counter attack and scored a fantastic goal. No, sorry we scored three goals.
Normally when two regular goals are not allowed, you can't win such a difficult
away game but my lads found a way to do this today. Our spirit, togetherness
and defending behaviour and will to win was crucial and I'm pretty proud of the
boys."
On the disallowed goals, Farke said: "I have to be a
bit careful. I know the referees have got an unbelievably hard job to do but
I'm a bit lost for words. It's the same linesman (Darren Williams) within the
last eight weeks who has ruled out three regular goals out at Coventry,
Millwall and today. I wouldn't say they were the most difficult decisions. Why
do we keep sending him to Leeds United matches if in the last two months where
there have been three regular goals ruled out by him? You can't blame the referee
for this.
"Patrick Bamford's goal was also probably not offside.
I can't really understand the other decisions.