Leeds United were made to work for the three points as they clung on for a much-needed 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League.
With 15 minutes played, it looked like Leeds could run riot under the lights after Brenden Aaronson gave them an early lead.
However, Joe Rodon’s brilliant header in the 13th minute proved to be the most comfortable it got for Leeds as a late West Ham goal made the last few minutes more nervy than they needed to be.
Daniel Farke will undoubtedly be relieved after his side left Elland Road with all three points, to open up a six-point gap on the bottom three, and move Leeds into 13th temporarily.
However, the words of Stuart Dallas at full-time should strike a chord with the Leeds boss after his side made life difficult for themselves in the closing stages.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
What did Stuart Dallas say about Leeds United’s win over West Ham?
Speaking on the Sky Sports coverage of the game, Dallas was critical of Leeds for allowing West Ham to score a late goal.
According to Dallas, Farke will be disappointed that his side missed the chance to claim a clean sheet in the dying moments of the game.
Dallas said: “West Ham were really poor, weren’t they? They didn’t deserve anything from the game, but, you know, they got back into it. Leeds at the end a little bit nervous but in the first half, Leeds certainly could have scored three or four goals.
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“They didn’t, and 2-0 is always a hard scoreline, isn’t it? You’re always one goal away from the game changing.
“But it’s a big result, good performance. Daniel himself will be disappointed that they conceded because I know how much he prides himself on clean sheets. But yeah, a good response after last week.”
Stuart Dallas of Leeds United before Premier League match vs Newcastle United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Daniel Farke should be annoyed with his Leeds side
Although Farke cut a relieved figure at full-time and praised his side for seeing out a narrow victory, Leeds’ habit of conceding late goals is threatening to become a major issue.
Leeds have already lost four points to goals conceded after the 90th minute, as they fell to a defeat against Fulham, before drawing with Bournemouth.
Leeds’ goals conceded after the 90th minute:
vs. Arsenal – Viktor Gyokeres – 90+5
vs. Fulham – Gabriel Gudmundsson (OG) – 90+4
vs. Bournemouth – Eli Kroupi – 90+3
vs. West Ham – Mateus Fernandes – 90
The loss of Gabriel Gudmundsson and Noah Okafor did not help, as Leeds’ left-hand side of James Justin and Jack Harrison failed to stretch West Ham in the same way. But Leeds sat back for much of the second half and were on the ropes in the final minutes.
Sometimes, managers can use the euphoria of a win to deliver some home truths to their team. Farke should use the frustration of conceding a late goal to nip a damaging habit in the bud.