The Leeds United goalscorer now has five goal contributions in as many games
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 15 Apr 2026
Noah Okafor was the main act at the Theatre Of Dreams
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Noah Okafor was the main act at the Theatre Of Dreams(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
James Justin says keeping Noah Okafor fit will be crucial to ensuring Leeds United get over the line when it comes to Premier League survival.
Okafor’s first-time double at Old Trafford on Monday wrote him in the annals of club history, with Leeds securing a league win at Manchester United for the first time since 1981.
His brace means the winger has five goal contributions in as many games, and his third since returning from a hamstring injury three weeks ago - having grabbed the assist for Ao Tanaka’s opener against West Ham United in the FA Cup quarter-final win.
Prior to his five-game absence amid his muscle setback, Okafor had scored in consecutive games against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. In his last 10 games across all competitions, Leeds have lost just once when Okafor has played, with four goals and two assists registered during this period.
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Daniel Farke says the summer signing has an “X-factor newly-promoted teams don’t normally have” and is delighted not just with his attacking play but defensive work too.
Fellow summer recruit James Justin says ensuring Okafor stays on the pitch is a priority for Leeds in these final six weeks of the season.
On his teammate’s performance, Justin said: "It's just something that he'll always give you. He's electric when he plays, no matter how long he plays for.
"To keep him fit is the biggest thing for this club this season, and hopefully we can have him fit and firing like that for the rest of the season, and we'll be in a good place.”
Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was involved in many key moments during the game; squandering two good chances, vying for a duel that led to Okafor’s opening goal and clearing a late Casemiro header off the line.
Leeds United's Noah Okafor scores
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Leeds United's Noah Okafor scores(Image: PA)
Of course, most notably he was the victim of a hair-pull from Lisandro Martinez, who was sent off for this action. While the incident has since incited heavy debate, Justin thought Calvert-Lewin was integral to Leeds securing a historic win.
“I thought it's been a long time since he's played as well as that, and I thought he was dominant in all aspects of his game,” he said.
"He was unlucky to not score before we scored the first goal, I think it was, and that's all he was missing. It was an all-round performance and one that definitely helped us out.”
Leeds have now moved up to 15th in the premier League table and sit six points clear of the relegation zone with six teams left to play, including all of the bottom four. The win was likewise an important mental milestone for United, who have lost leads and thus points in numerous games this season.
Despite conceding a goal with a man extra on the pitch, Leeds weathered the storm and secured their first Premier League away win since September - which was at bottom club Wolves, who Leeds face at home on Saturday.
"People are always telling me Leeds don't do things the easy way and keep the fans on edge,” added Justin. "Obviously, we'd like to have comfortable wins and be playing the same thing and stuff like that, but it's just not the way it's falling at the moment.
“We've just got to knuckle down and keep the ball out of our net, to be honest, when we go goals up. It's something that we'll work on, but as long as we're getting points at this stage of the season, nothing else matters.
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“This is the business end of the season, and to come to a club like this that are doing well in the league and turning them over and coming away with three points, it definitely sends a message. It's a big one."