FARKE MISSES OUT
Bamford saves point as Leeds denied club-record 10th win
DANIEL FARKE refused to be downbeat after Huddersfield denied his Leeds side a club-record 10th successive league victory in a feisty Yorkshire derby.
The German has enjoyed the alchemist’s touch since the turn of the year, taking the Elland Road club on a stirring sequence to encourage hopes of automatic promotion and maybe even a title challenge.
Huddersfield, though, fought gamely — and sometimes literally — to end their big-city neighbours’ run of victories.
The Terriers’ Poland defender Michal Helik, who came on for the injured Yuta Nakayama in the 26th minute, bundled in what was, remarkably, his ninth goal of the season as half-time approached.
Home captain Jonathan Hogg was dismissed moments later for a second yellow card after elbowing Junior Firpo in the head — it could have easily been a straight red.
Leeds were spared the indignity of defeat after Patrick Bamford tapped home a low cross from Connor Roberts.
They could not find a winner, though, to match their 79 per cent possession and lacked their customary sharpness in front of goal. Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville may have pilfered the points late on but saw his curling right-foot shot skim the outside of a post.
Farke said: ‘It was disappointing because we had to accept there was no 10th win in a row. But we’ve taken 28 points during this run and Huddersfield are fighting relegation, so whenever it was necessary they made tactical fouls.
‘I’ve no complaints, though, because 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 Championship is, a point on the road could be very useful come the end of the season.’
Leeds dominated possession but Summerville spurned an early chance and Town led when Illan Meslier parried Danny Ward’s header and Helik bundled the ball into the net.
Then came Hogg’s moment of madness before Leeds, predictably, pinned back Huddersfield after the break and were rewarded when Bamford slotted home.
New Huddersfield boss Andre Breitenreiter, after his first home game in charge, said: ‘Hoggy apologised after the match because it was an unnecessary red card and he knows that. But the whole team is standing behind him as a leader and as a captain.
‘It feels like a win because the players gave everything with the supporters behind us.’