Bam-raid keeps Farke’s promotion chasers on track
PATRICK BAMFORD spared Leeds the indignity of defeat – but make no mistake, this was two big points dropped for Daniel Farke’s promotion chasers.
Hitman Bamford fired home in the 67th minute to cancel out an opener from Michal Helik, who bundled in from a free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
But with Huddersfield losing captain Jonathan Hogg to a red card shortly after Helik’s goal, Leeds should have made their class pay.
They had the whole second half to find a winner, but the Terriers dug in to keep them at bay and the woodwork also denied Crysencio Summerville late on.
The bigger picture for Farke’s men is automatic promotion – and they remain well placed to achieve that – but their winning run is now over.
After Leeds were denied a club-record 10th league win on the spin, Farke said: “It was disappointing as we had to accept that there was no 10 in a row.
“But we’ve had 28 points in this run and Huddersfield are fighting relegation, so whenever it was necessary they made tactical fouls.
“I’ve no complaints, this is the Championship and if you can’t win such a game, make sure you don’t lose it.
“We’re a bit disappointed but when you know how relentless the league is, a point on the road could be very useful come the end of the season.”
Leeds dominated but Summerville spurned an early chance and Town led when Illan Meslier parried Danny Ward’s header and Helik fired in his ninth goal of the season. Hogg then collected his
second yellow Leeds in first-half added time for elbowing Junior Firpo, before Leeds levelled when Bamford buried Connor Roberts’ cross.
For the hosts this was another step towards safety and new boss Andre Breitenreiter, after his first home game in charge, said: “Hoggy apologised in the dressing room. It was an unnecessary red card and he knows that.
“But the team is behind him as leader and captain.
“It feels like a win – the players gave everything with the fans behind us.” HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 6; Spencer 6 (Headley (72) 6), Pearson 6, Lees 8, Nakayama 6 (Helik (26) 7); Thomas 7, Kasamu 6, Hogg 5, Burgzorg 6 (Koroma (74) 6); Rudoni 7, Ward 5 (Matos (45) 6) LEEDS: Meslier 7; Gray 6 (Roberts (62) 7), Rodon 6, Ampadu 6, Firpo 6 (Anthony (86) 5); Gruev 6, Kamara 6 (Piroe (62) 6); Summerville 6, Gnonto 5 (James (62) 6), Rutter 6; Bamford 7 STAR MAN: Tom Lees – Did well against Leeds’ star-studded forward line. REF: Andrew Kitchen 6