What Daniel Farke did to Ao Tanaka on the pitch at FT after Leeds United’s win over Middlesbrough — Leeds United News 8/4/25

-

Will Butcher

Well, Leeds United are sitting at the top of the Championship again. The race for promotion took another turn on Tuesday night, as Leeds secured a crucial 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

An incredible night that has turned the table upside down. Leeds went into the game in third place after one win in six, three consecutive draws – with Burnley and Sheffield United going ahead of The Whites.

But Sheffield United suffered a second consecutive defeat on Tuesday night, unable to beat Millwall and Burnley could not get past John Eustace’s Derby. Daniel Farke’s nemesis holding Burnley to a 0-0 draw.

Dan James scored inside the first three minutes and the scoreline remained the same – and yet, it could have been 3-0, and should have been. Tanaka and Patrick Bamford scoring onside goals, ruled offside.

Ao Tanaka spotted crying on the pitch after full-time whistle

The midfielder has endured a poor bit of form of late. Farke even pointed out the three mistakes he has made in games against Swansea and then Luton in his last press conference, but he was superb tonight.

Tanaka was on fire, working tirelessly and constantly winning the ball back for Leeds. At full-time, Graham Smyth reported that Tanaka was crying on The Riverside pitch, reduced to his haunches as Leeds won.

Smyth reported: “Tanaka in tears. Bamford with a magnificent play in the final seconds to win the ball, get up off the deck and come away with it to find Schmidt and see out the final seconds. Top of the league.”

Graham Smyth shares what Daniel Farke did with Ao Tanaka

His form has not just been questionable at Leeds level, with Japanese media criticising Tanaka during the last international break. But on Tuesday night, the midfielder was excellent as Ilia Gruev came in with him.

Smyth reports what Farke did with Tanaka on the deck after full-time: “Farke consoling Tanaka, who looks like he’s in bits. Team and staff saluting the away end. That was a proper game of football.”

The win leaves Leeds in first place and back to the top of the Championship table, but only thanks to their superior goal difference with Burnley also on 85 points. Sheffield United are third, currently on 83 points.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more