Farke feeling on top of the world
BOSS’ PRIDE AS LEEDS CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT
WILLY GNONTO and Dan James sent title-chasing Leeds to the Championship summit for the first time this season.
Italy forward Gnonto struck a first-half opener before Wales winger James added a second in the 79th minute.
That gave Daniel Farke’s men the win by the two-goal margin they needed to leapfrog Leicester into top spot, albeit having played a game more.
Leeds were 17 points behind the Foxes after 25 games but their unbeaten league run since the start of 2024 has been stunning, with 12 wins and a draw from 13 games.
“We’re Leeds United, we’re top of the league,” was the chant which reverberated around a raucous Elland Road.
Manager Farke said: “I’m pretty proud of the boys because it was a different challenge. It’s difficult to create chances against Millwall and important not to give anything away, so it was a mature performance. “I’m really happy with a priceless three points and I’m going to enjoy it a little bit. “If you don’t you’ll ask yourself one day why you’re doing all this hard work. “But it’s important to stay on it. We still need to win lots more points.” Millwall had taken an impressive 10 points from four games since Neil Harris returned as head coach.
The Lions fought doggedly against their high-flying hosts and their physical approach worked well for long periods.
Leeds fashioned a number of half-chances before Gnonto’s 33rd-minute opener.
Georginio Rutter found Gnonto, left, and his powerful left-foot shot from 20 yards flew into the corner of the net.
The hosts had two first-half penalty appeals turned down, and went close when Crysencio Summerville hit a curling right-foot shot from 20 yards, which forced a fine save from Matija Sarkic.
They continued to hold the upper hand and almost had a second on 66 minutes.
Junior Firpo crossed from the left flank and Rutter’s right-foot effort drew a smart save from Sarkic before his follow-up struck a post.
But the goal needed to go top finally came when Rutter found James unmarked, and the substitute steadied himself before firing in a low shot which sent Elland Road wild.
Harris said: “Leeds deserved to win but some elements of our performance were very good.”