Dan delivers as Leeds stay in top-two hunt

IN a Championship promotion race that has suddenly become very interesting, all anyone can do is keep winning by any means possible.

Stoke aren’t pushovers at the best of times but as they are scrapping for survival they posed an even greater danger to highflying Leeds. So Daniel Farke was once again grateful to Dan James, who continues to make the difference when it matters most.

The winger’s 11th goal of the season kept Leeds in touch with leaders Leicester and, when you consider James has also chipped in with seven assists, it represents a crucial contribution.

Steven Schumacher’s side had their moments and successfully disrupted Leeds’ flow in the second half, but their relegation worries only deepen.

Stoke knew they’d be under the cosh for long spells and they were duly hammered for much of the first half. Once into gear, Leeds carved out chance after chance with all their attackers in the mood. James was at the heart of everything. He was denied an early penalty when Stoke goalkeeper Daniel Iversen clipped him after taking a heavy touch and seemed determined to right that personal injustice.

Eventually Leeds’ pressure paid off. The lively Georginio Rutter set James running down the right and, as Stoke backed off, he twisted and turned before hitting a shot that deflected off Ben Wilmot and in.

Stoke almost equalised out of the blue when Lewis Baker let fly from 30 yards, with Illan Meslier pulling off a flying save. Leeds substitute Mateo Joseph rounded Iversen but was denied by Wilmot’s goal-line block, before Stoke were reduced to 10 men late on when Ben Pearson collected a second booking for blocking James off.

We will know soon enough how vital these points are for Leeds.