Leeds United dressing room jokey response to stunning goal after 'emotional' £40m departure

A former Leeds United attacker's crucial Premier League goal has sparked a jokey reaction from his old boss and colleagues.

Georginio Rutter became a popular figure with supporters, fellow players and Leeds staff members alike during his spell with the club, having bounced back from initial difficulties to be a star man in the Championship.

The Frenchman racked up six goals and 15 assists as Leeds made it to the play-off final at Wembley. But defeat by Southampton was the start of the end of Rutter's time with Leeds because it allowed Brighton to activate a release clause in his contract and buy him for £40m.

On Saturday after Leeds beat Wolves 3-0, Rutter came off the bench to score a late equaliser to deny the Whites' relegation rivals Spurs a first league win since December. The goal raised smiles for a number of reasons in his old dressing room.

“Waited the whole year for such a finish”

"First of all [it was met] with many jokes," said Farke. "We worked one year together and waited the whole year for such a finish.

“But we know he's a fantastic player and an unbelievable human being. We're happy for Georgi, we're always happy once he scores goals and is there with good performances. We know how emotional his farewell was, and how much he appreciated and loved to play for us. Sometimes you have to accept that the player has to develop a bit quicker than we were able to do."

The goal he fired in at Tottenham Stadium meant Leeds came out of the weekend with an eight-point cushion between themselves and Spurs, who sit 18th with five games remaining. Farke insists his delight at the goal was simply for one of his former charges rather than its impact on the relegation battle.

"Of course you could also say he's perhaps also helped our position in the relegation fight a little bit," said Farke.

“I don't pay too much attention to other fixtures and what happens on other pitches, I just celebrate Leeds United goals. But the last two or three game days have allowed perhaps to have a look at what happens in other pitches. I'm always happy if Georgi scores a goal and is there with a good performance as long as it's not against Leeds United."