Few teams will go throughout the season without dropping points late on but Leeds United have done it a lot this season
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
10:36, 23 Feb 2026Updated 10:44, 23 Feb 2026
Tammy Abraham knees in the equaliser
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Tammy Abraham knees in the equaliser(Image: Marc Atkins - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Image)
Leeds United would be challenging for Europe if the late goals they conceded were scrubbed out, Daniel Farke said after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
He also pointed out that Leeds themselves have scored late on in matches to rescue points. No team will go through a whole season without conceding in the dying minutes of the game, especially a newly-promoted one.
However, it is something which has become a bit of a habit for the Whites. As many as eight goals have been conceded after the 90th minute, which is the most out of any Premier League team.
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The latest saw them drop two points at Villa after Tammy Abraham guided the ball into the net off his knee in the 88th minute. The fact United trudged off the pitch disappointed is both understandable in its own content but especially when the wider picture is considered.
This was the fifth game in which points have been lost past the 85th minute. The first was that agonising defeat away at Fulham as a result of Gabriel Gudmundsson’s bizarre own goal.
Two weeks later, Leeds had their head in their hands again when Eli Kroupi volleyed home a 93rd-minute equaliser for Bournemouth in September’s 2-2 draw.
Late goals were conceded against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest across October and November but neither impacted the result; a 2-1 win over the Hammers and a 3-1 defeat at Forest.
While Phil Foden’s stoppage-time winner for Manchester City in late November was gutting, Leeds had seen enough from the game to take positives. Farke had witnessed his side initially come back from two goals down amid that now-famous half-time formation change to a back three.
Phil Foden celebrates scoring Manchester City's late winner against Leeds
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(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
With a point let slip at the Etihad Stadium, three were then lost in the heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to Newcastle in January. Leeds had led 3-2 heading into the 90th minute.
But double-scorer Brenden Aaronson’s handball led to Bruno Guimaraes slotting away a penalty as clock ticked past 90 before Harvey Barnes scored the latest ever Premier League winner in the 12th minute of stoppage time to leave Leeds crestfallen.
And then of course, came the frustrating concession at Villa. So overall, Leeds have dropped some nine points by conceding beyond the 85th-minute. Those points would have seen Leeds up to 40 points and into seventh place - reiterating Farke’s Europe comments.
As mentioned, all teams will concede late and drop points at some stage, as is the nature of the Premier League, so every club can ponder on ifs and buts. And it is also true that Leeds rescued points against Liverpool and Brentford late on.
But it shows how margins matter and how concentration is needed right until the end. It is an issue that keeps cropping up that Farke has yet to fully solve.
Summary of where points were dropped
Fulham A (Sept 13): 0-1 - one point dropped
Bournemouth H (Sept 27): 2-2 - two points dropped
Man City A (Nov 29): 3-2 - one point dropped
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Newcastle A (Jan 7): 4-3 - three points dropped [two stoppage-time goals]
Aston Villa A (Feb 21): 1-1 - two points dropped