Leeds United substitution anger, Hannibal sprinkler angst and off-camera Burnley moments — YEP 2/5/26

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By Graham Smyth

The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from the 3-1 win against Burnley at Elland Road.

Leeds United piled the misery and pressure on 18th-placed Spurs with a 3-1 win over Burnley under the lights on Friday night.

Tottenham find themselves nine points behind the Whites with four games remaining, but Daniel Farke's side are now locked in another battle. Victory over the relegated Clarets moved Leeds above Newcastle United into 14th, albeit before the Magpies take on Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Here's the YEP take as Leeds moved onto 43 points.

Good day

Daniel Farke

His name was sung with feeling by the Elland Road crowd as he walked around at full-time. Forty-three points should be enough in its own right but you wouldn't bet against Leeds adding to their tally in their final three outings. The performance against Burnley wasn't perfect but it was enough and captured their season quite aptly. One goal was a spectacular strike from distance, the likes of which Anton Stach has delivered before. Another was a lovely move, which Leeds have been capable of at times. And one was scrappy, because Leeds have had to fight for so much of what they've earned this season. They all count and Leeds now have as many goals this season as Aston Villa.

Anton Stach

The German admitted he was a little surprised to get the start after being injured for two and a half weeks and only playing 45 minutes against Chelsea, but the way he started was so key to victory for Leeds. He has proven himself to be Premier League quality in his debut season and his goal was a cracker. Another one.

Jaka Bijol

He monstered Zian Flemming in aerial battles, as he is supposed to do as a 6ft 4ins centre-back. He also split the lines with a lovely pass into Anton Stach that turned into an assist. Get you a central defender who can do both. Leeds did.

Bad day

Thomas Bramall

The worst refereeing performance of the season at Elland Road.

Hannibal Mejbri

Mercilessly booed by the Elland Road crowd, not only for his Man Utd past but for spitting in the direction of the away end in the previous meeting of the sides. He was angry at groundsmen at half-time, he wasn't much happier when he got on the pitch. Found himself flung to the ground by Ethan Ampadu, got a little revenge in a challenge on Brenden Aaronson but found himself yellow carded and on a tightrope after that. Went down the tunnel very promptly at full-time.

Off-camera

Club chairman Paraag Marathe and some of the hierarchy making their way around the Elland Road pitch after meeting with the Supporters Advisory Board before the game.

Former chairman Andrea Radrizzani making an appearance in the directors box. The Italian then shared an embrace with Marathe in the West Stand, and the pair posed for a photo with Radrizzani's son.

Joe Rodon calling Jayden Bogle over for a chat in the warm-up and offering some words of wisdom as the wing-back nodded in agreement.

Ao Tanaka looking anguished and slapping himself before looking skyward, apparently displeased with his performance in the possession game in the warm-up.

Hannibal Mejbri getting a less-than-warm reception from the West Stand as he took his place in the dugout before the game.

Daniel Farke growing increasingly and visibly frustrated with referee Thomas Bramall as the half went on. But the Leeds players were not spared their manager's ire. He was fuming with various outfield members of his side during the first half.

Mejbri, who disappeared down the tunnel for 10 minutes during the first half, exchanging words with a Leeds groundsman after going and putting his foot on a sprinkler, unhappy that they'd come on.

Joel Piroe having a moment with former Feyenoord team-mate Quilindschy Hartman before the second half began.

Joe Rodon beating Jaidon Anthony in a footrace and then enjoying a joke about it with his ex-team-mate, as Farke grinned at the pair.

Farke was no longer grinning when the fourth official went ahead with a Leeds sub before the manager was ready for it to happen. His tirade at Adam Herczeg went on for some time.

Hannibal breaking character briefly and apologising to Brenden Aaronson after a poor challenge.

Sean Longstaff and Karl Darlow having a Newcastle United reunion with Martin Dubravka.

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