Middlesbrough FC 3 Leeds United 4 – Win any way possible. Leeds United played in a kamikaze style playing the Bielsa way of making sure they scored more than the opponent. To watch it, it was nerve jangling – Leeds were devastating going forward but switched off at the back.
Middlesbrough came into the match in good form and needed to win to have a sniff of the play-offs. They threw everything at pooping Leeds’ party. For Leeds to hold onto a chance of automatic promotion tonight was a must win.
It was a roller coaster first half with Leeds twice ahead but Middlesbrough took Leeds on. This was Middlesbrough pinning Leeds back by packing midfield. Leeds started positively with Gray in midfield giving us a more creative approach but midfield was wide open at times. But then Leeds gave away a calamitous first goal with the ball bouncing everywhere only for Middlesbro to be gifted a simple tap it into the net.
On ten minutes Georginio used his strength to surge into the box and win a penalty. After the usual bluff Bamford passed the ball to Sommerville who scored only just into the far corner past the keeper’s gloves. Farke did not twitch a muscle, still angry from the poor first goal given.
On 17 minutes Leeds then went ahead. With Gray and Summerville linking up onto Firpo whose assist to Bamford who used his hip to nudge the ball past a motionless keeper.
But the craziness was hardly over. Leeds kept losing the ball with searching crosses going missing, and Middlesbrough pinning Leeds back. Then Georginio, trying to be clever, lost a throw-in which led to the Middlesbrough equaliser. Latte Lath scored a great goal that Leeds were too slow to close down.
But it was still not all over. Gray and Summerville set up an off side Gnonto to put Leeds ahead. At the end of the first half Bamford could have made a fourth but the keeper had time to save.
Leeds were happy to defend early in the second half as Middlesbro moved the ball but Leeds stayed in control. After quarter of an hour Leeds weaved a devastating web of passes from Bamford to Firpo who again assisted Summerville who danced in front of a couple of defenders and curled the ball around everyone into the net. Leeds’ first attack of the first half is a goal. 4-2.
Leeds kept counter-attacking with Georginio setting up Bamford to score but was off side. Middlesbrough kept hussling Leeds with their passing whilst Leeds kept counter-attacking. But it was Latte Lath – Middlesbrough’s most dangerous player – who caused a stir in the last ten minutes sending a measured header over Meslier, out of his goal, into the net. At 3-4 it was a panicky last ten minutes as Middlesbrough keep throwing the ball into a nervy Leeds penalty box. It needed a decent save from Meslier to keep Leeds ahead.
Once the whistle was blow Georginio led the celebration pumping his chest in front of the fans whilst they sang Archie Gray’s name. All the Leeds forwards were on form tonight with three scoring. After a string of poor results Bamford admitted the team simply wanted to win any way possible.
Man of the match: Summerville – when Leeds needed him to be a match winner.
