Leeds United 2 Millwall FC 0. Wow Tanaka! Leeds managed to turn around a two match dip with a thunderbolt from Tanaka. What was a heavy grind to watch at times, saw Leeds comfortably swat another fly away towards automatic promotion.
Leeds picked up only one point from last two matches losing away at Portsmouth. What felt like a dip had fans demanding to see the players dig themselves out of it with a hard fought win, rather than a full scale dip that cost them promotion last season. And they got the former. It had the extra bonus of payback after Millwall dumped Leeds out of the FA Cup. This was not just a must win game to put Leeds back on top but it was expected at home that Leeds can beat a mid-table team.
Leeds United have been beaten only once in the championship at home. They did loseAnd tonight saw another clean sheet with Millwall spending most of the second half blocking Leeds shots. Farke was a creature of habit making only one change, starting Rothwell, and leaving subs till very late. Even Aaronson who has not played well for weeks, kept his place.
Leeds had the perfect start with their first attack of the match in the first three minutes with Rothwell instrumental getting the ball to Solomon on the byline; instead of cutting back he squares it behind Jensen in goal who is caught out and the ball bounces off Cooper into the net.
In the first half Leeds struggled to shoot as Millwall squeezed James and Solomon on the wings; it was left to Rothwell to set up attacks from central midfield. His positivity gave Leeds a lot of forward play that Millwall soaked up.
Piroe had a frustrating evening including a disallowed goal. James struggled most of the match with wayward shots and crosses. All the players tried quick one touch football but too many loose balls and shots nullified their efforts.
Leeds were much improved in the second half with Solomon and James more in the game; Rothwell and Tanaka controlled midfield, and Meslier was a spectator. But Leeds huffed and puffed in front of goal, trying to walk the ball into the net, but lacking creativity needed to score. Anxiety building in final 20 minutes as Leeds crept to full time with just the one goal lead.
It was after 80 minutes when Leeds had yet another surge forward with Solomon and Firpo on the left looking for gaps in the Millwall defence. Up popped Tanaka with the best shot of the match smacking the ball first time across the front of goal past everyone into the net. He spent the last ten minutes of the match with white paint on one side of face from where he celebrated his goal.
The referee was generally lenient but when he missed James shoved in the face in the penalty box late on, a solid penalty call went begging. Millwall were restricted all match to hoof and hope. Leeds laboured for long periods and were always at risk of conceding from a slip up which thankfully never came.
Man of the match: Rothwell gave Leeds zing in midfield, and Solomon penned in the defence in the second half, but a much improved Tanaka with his wonder goal is the man of the match.
