EFL pundit Adrian Clarke has shared why he felt Leeds United got a bit lucky in their win over Middlesbrough.
The Whites made a much-needed return to winning ways with a dramatic 4-3 victory at the Riverside, in a game which twisted one way and then the next.
Boro actually took an early lead on the night through Isaiah Jones, but just over 10 minutes later Leeds had turned the scoreline on its head thanks to goals from Crysencio Summerville and Patrick Bamford.
Emmanuel Latte Lath then got Boro back on level terms, though it was Leeds who went into half-time ahead through Willy Gnonto, a goal which left Michael Carrick fuming post-match.
Summerville finally opened up some daylight between the two sides just after the hour-mark with a stunning strike, showing he was very much back to his best, in the eyes of Stewart Downing.
However, Leeds had to weather a very late storm by the home side after Latte Lath headed in his second of the night, and by the skin of their teeth, they managed to do so.
Adrian Clarke says Leeds were lucky to be awarded Willy Gnonto goal
Leeds have been on the end of their fair share of poor refereeing decisions recently, none more so than the denial of two clear penalties in the recent 0-0 draw against Sunderland.
The failure not to punish Blackburn Rovers’ time-wasting recently was also a major cause of frustration, and so you could say it was about time things balanced out for Leeds.
Gnonto’s goal which put Leeds in front for a second time was actually a good yard offside, though thankfully for whatever reason, the linesman did not flag.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘What the EFL Podcast’, Clarke believes Leeds were fortunate to get that decision, but was full of praise for how Daniel Farke’s side came away with the win in a crazy match.
“What a wild game this was, the first half was crazy and a great watch. Very un-Leeds-like, they have the best defensive record in the division. The Leicester-West Brom was equally as wild, in terms of being open and them giving up big chances, maybe that is part of the nerves getting to the players.
“But Leeds have the firepower in those kind of crazy, attack-minded, end-to-end games. They got a bit of luck with Willy Gnonto, he’s a yard offside but in a non-VAR world of Championship, we accept it and get on with it.
“That was a slice of fortune but Summerville’s goal to seal it was trademark him, so that was a brilliant result.”
Gnonto has been Leeds’ best player in 2024
Gnonto endured a very difficult last few months of 2024 at Leeds but since coming into the team regularly, has been back to his brilliant best.
The 20-year-old now has eight goals across all competitions in this calendar year, with his strikes against the likes of Bristol City and Millwall having proved to be so important.
Summerville has rightly grabbed the headlines for his performances as a whole this season, but you do wonder where Leeds might be in this promotion race without Gnonto’s contributions. He’s been the main man.