"Sounded like" - Leeds United fans on Tottenham win, Jayden Bogle challenge, massive factor and sole gripe
Leeds United’s fans on Saturday’s victory against Tottenham.
Leeds United bagged a first win in six and a long-awaited victory in a Premier League lunchtime kick-off with a 1-0 success against Saturday’s visitors Tottenham Hotspur - but what did the club’s fans think?
Here is what our YEP Jury had to say.
KEITH INGHAM
Leeds went into the November international break on a ‘high’ after producing an impressive second-half performance to beat Tottenham 1-0 at Elland Road.
It was the first victory in a pre-3pm kick off since August 2022.
The opening half was fairly even, although Leeds felt they should have been awarded a penalty following a debatable handball by Mateus Fernandes.
Jayden Bogle also escaped without even a booking after a challenge on Mathys Tel, who left the field minutes later injured.
Leeds came out after the break with renewed determination and began to take control.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a header cleared off the line, while Ao Tanaka missed a great opportunity. Sean Longstaff was also denied by an incredible save by Antonín Kinský.
Farke introduced Harry Wilson and Noah Okafor in the 77th minute, and it proved an inspired substitution.
Just 97 seconds later, Okafor collected the ball and fired a superb finish into the bottom corner to send Elland Road into raptures.
Spurs pushed for an equaliser, but Leeds held firm. A great performance, especially in the second half.
Men of the match: Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford. One rock steady in defence, the other made a top-class save to deny Spurs a point.
NEIL GREWER
A brilliant win – against an expensively assembled Spurs team on the back of three straight wins, in an early kick off, with a clean sheet to boot.
Just what the doctor, and Daniel Farke, ordered.
The first half was even with Leeds having more chances but Spurs the better ones, although neither keeper was really troubled.
An unnecessarily long VAR check added potential jeopardy following a Jayden Bogle challenge on Mathys Tel but the challenge was accidental and at almost walking pace – probably warranting a yellow card but thankfully no card was brandished.
Leeds upped the intensity after the break and looked the more likely winners.
Melvin Bard replaced the injured Gabi Gudmundsson and gave an impressive display and late on Farke introduced Harry Wilson and Noah Okafor to change the dynamic up top.
It worked almost immediately with a Bard throw flicked on by Dominic Calvert-Lewin then by Wilson into space for Okafor to run onto and smash into the net.
So a great result with a team showing some changes and tweaks to tactics which ultimately paid off but with one massive stable factor – the defence.
Man of the match: Tarik Muharemovic (absolute class act) and Melvin Bard (great second-half performance and impact).
DAVID WATKINS
What a performance! We knew we had to be flawless to get anything from a Tottenham side bang in form, and we almost were!
The only criticism that can be made was the sheer number of decent openings we squandered – just finding the target four times from 16 shots (Spurs had four from only seven) simply won’t cut it at this level… well, usually it won’t.
The first half was tight, neither side gaining the upper hand and not a single big chance created.
The key for Leeds, though, was that we looked comfortable in containing Spurs. The only worry was whether another poor referee would make his mark on the game.
In fact, it could be argued we finally got some luck as a risky-looking challenge by Jayden Bogle went completely unpunished despite a long VAR examination.
In the second half, Leeds were totally dominant – 13 of those 16 goal attempts coming after the break – but at times it looked as though those poorly hit crosses and missed chances would leave us wanting.
Then up-stepped Noah Okafor to show everyone how it’s done, with a sublime touch and finish.
James Trafford was flawless too, with a couple of vital saves.
Man of the match: He only played 17 minutes, but for that moment of magic: Noah Okafor.
MIKE GILL
United are back! They recorded a much-needed but well-deserved home win and once again Daniel Farke silenced his doubters.
The first half was dour and uncompromising and neither side came anywhere close to breaking the deadlock.
United’s unfamiliar line up relied heavily on the wing-backs to provide crosses and creativity and this was ineffective.
Towards the end of the half, Jayden Bogle clashed heavily with Mathys Tel who had to withdraw.
The game faced a lengthy delay as the incident was checked for serious foul play. Bogle escaped without being disciplined to the relief of the United faithful.
The second half started without the other wing-back as Gabriel Gudmundsson had to withdraw with hamstring trouble.
He was replaced by Melvin Bard and the Frenchman proved to be an able deputy.
The rest of the side seemed galvanised as well, as Leeds started to dominate.
Eventually this paid off when, 11 minutes from the end, substitute Harry Wilson passed to his fellow sub Noah Okafor who smashed the ball into the net.
The ground erupted and Elland Road sounded like Elland Road again!
Man of the match: Tarik Muharemovic.
EVAN SEAMAN
A late goal from Noah Okafor was enough to give Leeds United the three points on Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur which was the Whites’ first victory since September.
Despite only having 38 per cent possession during the game, Leeds were able to show their clinical side in attack while also producing a very solid, defensive display.
It also gives new signing James Trafford’s fifth clean sheet in all competitions since joining the Whites in the summer for a record fee, which is bound to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel with another international break upon us.
The only contentious moment of the game was when Jayden Bogle made a reckless challenge on Mathys Tel, but he escaped punishment after a look from VAR.
The result means Leeds leapfrog Spurs in the table, not far from the European places.
It also means Daniel Farke’s side have ended a five-match winless run, so the head coach will be a relieved man as there was some pressure starting to build on him.
Next up for Leeds is a trip to Chelsea which will be a difficult game for sure.
Man of the match: Noah Okafor.