Daniel Farke on Leeds United's 'perfect-fitting' ending and Anton Stach injury — Yorkshire Post 17/5/26
By Stuart Rayner
Daniel Farke said Leeds United had finished their season in
a “perfect-fitting style” with a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Now he wants the "icing on the cake" with a
final-day victory over West Ham that would take them to 50 points for the
season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's stoppage-time goal secured an 11th
win of the Whites' first season back in the Premier League.
It was far from easy, with a Brighton team pushing for
European qualification the better side, but in many ways that made it more
impressive.
"It was a perfect fitting ending to a fantastic season
for us here at least – of course we have one more game to go.
"It was a difficult week for many reasons, with the
injuries, with the illnesses and a game against a side who had all to play for
before the game. Brighton could even still qualify for the Champions League,
they were in red-hot form.
"We had many key players out and during the game
injuries for Anton Stach, for Brennan Aronson.
"It was a difficult game, but we kept it tight. We
defended our goal really well.
"Brighton, especially in the second half, were the more
dominant side, but we wanted to stay in the game and defend our clean sheet and
never stopped believing there would be one or two chances, perhaps, where we
could score a goal.
"It was such a composed finish by Dominic
Calvert-Lewin, I'm just happy we are able to spoil our supporters and find
another clean sheet win so they can celebrate this season in a perfect-fitting
finishing style."
Leeds finish their campaign at West Ham United on May 24
knowing victory would take them to 50 points - one more than club world
champions Chelsea have with two games to play.
"It would be a great reward, but right now, whatever
happens, no one can take away that it's a fantastic season for us to sit on 47
points, to win the final home game, to stay eight games unbeaten in the crunch
time period with so many wins in the last weeks," said Farke.
"It's outstanding. One more win would of course be the
icing on the cake, but the cake is still there. It won't take anything away.
"But of course, anyone who knows us and our mentality
is fully aware that we are highly motivated to finish in style and also
hopefully to win a few more points."
The only blot on Leeds' afternoon was a leg injury to
Brenden Aaronson and an ankle issue for Anton Stach. Both are hoping to play in
this summer's World Cup.
On Stach, Farke said: "I think the opponent fell on his
knee or ankle and he tried to keep going on but it too painful. I hope it's not
too bad, but it was very painful for him.
"I haven't spoken to the medical department.
"The World Cup is around the corner for him and we
fingers crossed, we hope it's not too bad, but it would be just guessing for me
to tell you something about the injury, an ankle injury.
"With Brenden I'm more optimistic. It was just a dead
leg and at half-time he was even on the bike to keep going.
"Normally it just lasts a few days, but it was tighter
and tighter and he should be all right."
