Daniel Farke used one word to sum up the cross from Junior Firpo which led to Leeds United taking the lead against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
Leeds were able to lay the challenge down to the likes of Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City by coming away from Hillsborough with the three points. But, for much of the first-half, it appeared that it may prove to be another frustrating evening for the Whites.
Leeds found it tough to break down the Owls. Wednesday defended well and were largely only opened up in the first-half by a couple of sumptuous long balls from Ethan Ampadu. But that did change on the stroke of half-time.
Daniel Farke lauds Junior Firpo after brilliant assist
Junior Firpo received the ball on the corner of the box. The left-back managed to whip a brilliant ball in towards the back post, where Patrick Bamford was waiting to turn it home.
It was a big moment in the game with Danny Rohl’s game-plan working up until that point. And speaking to Sky Sports (broadcast on 8/3; 22:31), Daniel Farke suggested that it needed to be a flawless cross from Firpo to give Leeds the chance that they could not refuse.
“Yes, we were pushing in the first-half to go into the lead. Obviously, they played with confidence, they were good on the counter attack. They were good on the set-piece. But you have to tire the opponent. And they had to work a lot against the ball,” he said.
“Yes obviously, I was pleased with the situation. We lost the ball on the edge of the box. But then Glen Kamara was there with good counter-pressing. Good movement then and the perfect cross from Junior Firpo and top-class striker movement, top-class striker goal of Patrick Bamford.”
Moment of quality from nowhere for Leeds
It was definitely a moment of quality which did not appear to be coming. Certainly, there were concerns that we were watching another game like the one against Huddersfield where Leeds tried the same things over and over again and had little joy.
Five points from this run of three games would have been hugely disappointing given where the opponents sit in the table. But that goal from Bamford changed everything.
Wednesday did have to come out and attempt to play more in the second-half. And that gave the likes of Georginio Rutter and Glen Kamara the space to dictate.
Junior Firpo has come in for a lot of criticism during his time at Elland Road. In truth, much of it has been justified. He was poor for much of our time in the Premier League.
But not many players would have been able to produce that cross in that moment.