Wild scenes as supersub seals season’s best win for Leeds
DANIEL FARKE often talks about Leeds United being a highly emotional club and the wild scenes which greeted Joel Piroe’s dramatic late winner here proved him spot on once again.
Preston were set for a point after a dogged, feisty display left Leeds and their supporters bitterly frustrated. But then, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and as three points looked set to slip through Farke’s fingers, the ball bounced up and hit Ryan Ledson’s right arm.
Referee David Webb pointed to the penalty spot and Piroe, a 76th-minute substitute, kept his composure to rifle the ball past Dai Cornell in front of the Don Revie Stand.
Cue delirium. Piroe ran to the corner flag and was mobbed by team-mates and supporters while the entire Leeds bench leapt joyously in the air on the touchline. It said much for the significance of the victory.
Preston had beaten Leeds 2-1 at Deepdale on St Stephen’s Day and battled gamely once again here. But Farke’s men could certainly not be described as unworthy winners and are the only club in the EFL yet to lose on home soil this season.
The German has successfully harnessed the desire and energy of a fanbase and a city and given the Yorkshire giants have genuine hope of an immediate return to the Premier League.
Certainly Leeds’ form at Elland Road — 10 wins and four draws — will provide the bedrock of any success they may go on to achieve. Farke, who led Norwich to promotion from the Championship as title winners twice, said with a huge smile: ‘These are the best wins of the season. They are season-defining and also good for the mood and confidence of the dressing room.
‘We’ve had many electrifying home performances with many goals and some games already done by half-time. To win this type of game, with a welldeserved winner in the last seconds, I’m pretty happy.’
Preston boss Ryan Lowe felt referee Webb had allowed the crowd to influence his decision.
He also claimed Alan Browne had been fouled by Leeds defender Joe Rodon moments before the penalty was awarded.
Lowe, an ardent Liverpool fan who has stood in the away end at Elland Road, fumed: ‘I’m going to go and see him (Webb). He’s a good guy Webby, he’s normally decent enough, but it wasn’t just me who was complaining about some decisions and yellow cards — it was their manager, too. ‘Am I expecting an apology? I’d like one and I did ask him for it at the end. ‘The crowd’s a big factor — the 12th man — and wow, I couldn’t hear myself speak at one point. If there’s VAR in the Championship, that (penalty) doesn’t get given. But I’ve been to Elland Road as a fan and I know what the pressures are like here. ‘I’ve seen decisions being made here for many, many years and this is just another.’ Preston led inside the second minute when Leeds failed to clear a free-kick and Will Keane fired home from close range. Four minutes later, though, the hosts equalised when a fine move culminated in Dan James heading in Junior Firpo’s delightful cross from the left wing. Preston went close to a second when Illan Meslier saved Liam Millar’s fierce left-foot shot before Georginio Rutter headed over as half-time approached.
During the interval, darts star and Leeds fan Luke Humphries paraded his PDC World Championship trophy around the pitch.
After the break, Rutter struck the outside of the post and a match which saw 10 bookings grew increasingly fractious.
Leeds, though, were not to be denied courtesy of Piroe’s 12th goal of the season.
Farke said: ‘It was important Joel gave the sign he was ready to take the penalty as he is one of our best finishers, if not the best.
‘He’s normally ice cold in these situations and when he gave the sign, I was sure he would score. Thank God he repaid my trust.’
That Leeds player Jaidon Anthony — an unused substitute — had lost his mother earlier in the week added to the emotion in the home camp.
Farke, whose players wore black armbands as a mark of respect, said: ‘We’re one family at Leeds United and we dedicate the win to Jaidon and his family.’