Leeds 1 – 0 Stoke

Dan James’ first-half strike ensured Leeds continued their Championship automatic-promotion cost with a 1-0 victory over Stoke at Elland Street.

The hosts took some time to settle into their rhythm however they quickly produced an onslaught as James missed a pair earlier than placing his facet forward along with his eleventh aim of the season.

A battling Stoke facet appeared the extra prone to seize an equaliser however Illan Meslier stored out possibilities from Lewis Baker, Tyrese Campbell and Josh Laurent within the second interval.

Mateo Joseph had Leeds’ finest likelihood when he noticed one blocked on the road and substitute Ben Pearson was despatched off late on for the guests.

Stoke mustered the primary shot on course of the encounter with eight minutes on the clock as a counter-attack ended up on the ft of Laurent exterior the field, however he might solely roll into the arms of Meslier.

Leeds needed a penalty when James tracked down Daniel Iversen’s unfastened contact – the Stoke goalkeeper seemingly received the person first however cries for a penalty had been waved away by referee Oliver Langford.

Leeds examined Iversen for the primary time halfway by means of the primary interval when he received down nicely to tip away Patrick Bamford’s sharp snapshot.

Leeds began to show up the warmth and had one other alternative as James ran by means of on aim however fired straight into the midriff of Iversen and behind for a nook.

Stoke had been nearly hanging on due to Iversen, this time James seeing an effort on course turned behind.

Leeds lastly had their deserved breakthrough simply after the midway mark.

Georginio Rutter’s intelligent footwork in the midst of the park helped set James away, the Welshman twisted and turned within the field earlier than firing into the again of the online through a deflection.

Stoke got here ahead with the final assault of the half and Baker determined to let rip from round 25 yards with an effort that wanted to be tipped over by Meslier.

Leeds began the second half with much less depth which noticed them end the primary interval and Stoke started to imagine. Baker fancied his possibilities for a second time from vary however Meslier was readily available to palm away.

The Potters got here ahead as soon as once more seeking an equaliser as Campbell original house within the space, however he blasted straight at Meslier.

Leeds had been denied a second with a block on the road.

Substitute Joseph wrestled Michael Rose off the ball and rounded Iversen solely to see his goalbound shot blocked by Ben Wilmot.

Stoke had been decreased to 10 males within the 86th minute when Pearson picked up a second yellow card for stopping Leeds on the counter.

James’ one-on-one effort was denied by Iversen once more which stored the ten males of Stoke alive and so they might have snatched a last-gasp equaliser however Laurent smashed straight into Meslier with the final kick of the sport.

The managers

Leeds’ Daniel Farke:

“For me, it’s the finest win in 2024 as a result of everybody expects us to win this dwelling recreation. Everybody expects us at Elland Street to beat every opponent proper now towards a crew not in the most effective place and assume it needs to be a straightforward win.

“It seems like within the stadium ‘we’re going there for a cup of tea and a cake’ maybe as a substitute of this explosion we had towards Leicester the place everybody was on it.

“Even immediately was our third recreation in six days with two robust away video games and thank God the house recreation immediately. 4 video games in 10 days, I am unsure some other groups in Europe have such a schedule however what else can we do. We have now to adapt to it and take a look at maintain going and keep unbeaten.

“When you will have such a schedule you can not anticipate offensive fireworks and top-class video games. You may’t all the time be at your finest on this schedule – I am comfortable out of the final three video games we’ve seven factors.”

Stoke’s Steven Schumacher:

“I feel we confirmed some actual character and stood as much as some intense strain at instances.

“We did not fold or buckle which is an effective signal from the crew that they’re prepared for the problem and I feel within the second half we confirmed everybody what sort of crew we may be however did not do sufficient to get the equaliser we in all probability deserved.

“I do not assume he (Pearson) must become involved within the first one and the second there’s not lots in it. It is irritating as a result of we are going to miss Ben once more.

“Iversen made some good saves tonight and he stored us within the recreation. He is an effective goalkeeper and we are going to want him within the run-in.”

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