Objectives from Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James despatched Leeds prime of the Championship for the primary time this season with a 2-0 victory over Millwall.
Leeds prolonged their unbeaten league run at Elland Street to 19 matches and have now gained 12 of their final 13 Championship video games, overturning a 17-point deficit since New Yr’s Day between them and second-placed Leicester.
Gnonto’s excellent opener gave the hosts a half-time lead and substitute James added the all-important second with 11 minutes left to carry them above the Foxes on objective distinction.
How Leeds went prime
Crysencio Summerville pulled a low shot extensive and that was all Leeds needed to present from a promising begin.
The guests had dropped solely two factors in 4 matches since Neil Harris returned for his second spell in cost final month they usually weren’t going to concede an inch towards their promotion-chasing hosts.
Lions skipper Jake Cooper earned the wrath of the house followers for grappling with Gnonto – each gamers have been booked – earlier than Zion Flemming and Junior Firpo have been additionally proven yellow playing cards for mistimed tackles.
However from a scrappy opening affected by full-blooded challenges, Gnonto emerged to raise the sport with a superb opening objective within the thirty third minute.
The ahead collected Georginio Rutter’s lay-off on the sting of the penalty space and unleashed a shot which arced away from Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic and into the web.
Millwall skipper Cooper was fortunate to keep away from a second yellow card, first when he appeared to catch Rutter along with his elbow after which when he clattered into Joe Rodon within the Millwall field.
Referee Stephen Martin missed the primary incident and was unmoved by the second, after being completely positioned, with Rodon left in a heap.
Summerville then pressured Sarkic right into a flying one-handed save with a shot from outdoors the field as only one objective separated the 2 sides at half-time.
Leeds maintained the stress after the restart and the bookings continued to mount for Millwall, with Ryan Leonard and George Honeyman each cautioned.
Sarkic saved fantastically to disclaim Rutter’s first-time effort after which pushed the Frenchman’s follow-up on to a put up.
After Millwall had served warning when Cooper’s hooked effort from a nook flew narrowly extensive, Japhet Tanganga’s last-ditch sort out thwarted Patrick Bamford following substitute James’ low cross.
However James struck the decisive second objective within the 79th minute. Rutter wriggled free on the left fringe of the world and pulled the ball again for the Wales winger, who took his time earlier than choosing his spot with a low end.
James went near including a 3rd as his shot hit a put up in stoppage time.
The managers
Leeds supervisor Daniel Farke:
“I’m pretty proud of the boys because this time around it was a bit of a different challenge. We’re used to playing every three days, we’re not used to it after 10 days. Then against a competitive and aggressive side, it’s not easy to create chances.
“I am fairly happy that we dominated, particularly within the first half. Most vital was that we did not give something away.
“It was a mature performance. I’m happy.”
Millwall supervisor Neil Harris:
“I think first and foremost, Leeds probably deserved to win that game. My only disappointment is that when the opportunities came, we weren’t ruthless enough to take them.
“We gave objectives away at actually poor occasions. Each halves we have been on prime. First half, in a much less managed method.
“In the second half, we had a 10-minute spell where we were the better team, we were building momentum and then we concede. That’s the frustration.
“I am not bemoaning the group, we simply need to maintain enhancing.”