Leeds United took another big step towards Premier League survival with a 2-1 win over West Ham United on Friday evening, moving them on to 11 points and six clear of relegation heading into the weekend’s fixtures. But club icon Stuart Dallas has pointed out one aspect of their win that Daniel Farke won’t be happy with.
Leeds raced into a 2-0 lead over West Ham inside the first 15 minutes, via a scrappy Brenden Aaronson goal and a bullet header from Joe Rodon, lighting Elland Road up on a cold night in West Yorkshire.
The Whites could have more than doubled their advantage, but chances galore were wasted, and it set up a nervy ending when Mateus Fernandes scored on the 90th minute mark.
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A win is a win, and it was a big one at that given that West Ham remain on just four points after nine Premier League games. But Stuart Dallas believes Daniel Farke won’t be happy that his side were unable to score more to put the game to bed and ultimately concede.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke manages from the sidelines
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Stuart Dallas says Daniel Farke will be ‘disappointed’ that Leeds conceded late
Leeds had 13 shots throughout the game, forcing three saves from Alphonse Areola but they were unable to add a third in the game.
It made for a nervy last six minutes, soaking up pressure as West Ham produced cross after cross into the box, though it was dealt with by the Whites.
However, Dallas – speaking to Sky Sports’ Premier League podcast – stated that although it was a big performance, Farke won’t only be disappointed by not scoring more, but also conceding, which was a big worry for them in big moments last season.
Dallas said: “Leeds could have scored three or four goals.
“They didn’t, and two nil is always a hard scoreline, isn’t it? You’re always one goal away from the game changing. So 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.”
Those errors late on will need to be ironed out by Leeds in the Premier League, where there is no room for error.
Daniel Farke managing Leeds vs Bournemouth in the Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Leeds’ late record in the Championship wasn’t ideal for seeing games out
Leeds made a knack of conceding late on last season, which almost derailed their Premier League promotion bid.
A 92nd-minute penalty on the opening day against Portsmouth was only salvaged by a 95th-minute equaliser, whilst a last-minute shocker from Illan Meslier produced a comical draw against Sunderland, after Meslier was called ‘foolish’ after picking up a red card the season prior.
A 90th-minute equaliser from Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day was followed just three days later by a late collapse at Hull City, and the same happened against Swansea City in late March.
Even this season, a late own goal against Fulham saw them lose in London, and a stoppage-time Bournemouth equaliser meant they failed to beat the season’s surprise package, which would currently have them ninth.
Farke could count himself lucky that he came up against a struggling outfit in West Ham and with some tricky ties coming up from now until Christmas, that late scare could give Leeds players the knowledge to stand sturdy in the final minutes and score more.
Daniel Farke has already called on his Leeds players to be more clinical, though he has been praised for his defensive work with Tottenham boss Thomas Frank praising Leeds’ sturdy nature.
Being clear of the relegation spots is a positive at this stage but ironing out those mistakes will be crucial.