Kyle Newbould: Leeds United’s historic 2-1 at Manchester United, three key conclusions | OneFootball

Leeds United made history for the second successive match with a 2-1 win at Manchester United. It followed their first FA Cup quarter-final victory since 1987 and ended a 45-year league wait at Old Trafford, Noah Okafor scoring twice before half-time.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Lisandro Martinez was sent off for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Casemiro headed in from a Bruno Fernandes cross to set up a tense finish, but Leeds managed the closing stages.

With Anton Stach out injured, Daniel Farke paired Ao Tanaka with Ethan Ampadu ahead of Ilia Gruev to keep possession. Tanaka produced a standout midfield display, registering 69 touches, second only to Gabriel Gudmundsson, and 42 accurate passes, bettered only by Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu, in 74 minutes. He pressed aggressively and was unlucky not to score after evading Senne Lammens.

Game management had been an issue after conceding twice in added time at West Ham, and a two-goal interval lead did not feel safe. Calvert-Lewin missed a free header before Casemiro struck, but Tanaka’s cramp and a double change slowed the contest, with Gruev and Willy Gnonto helping to settle it.

Even with a man advantage, Leeds deserved credit for recycling possession and riding out seven minutes of added time against a gifted attack.

The result feels huge in the relegation fight. Leeds had not won in the Premier League since early February or away since September, yet were the better side for long spells, with Farke on his knees at full-time as the away end celebrated. They are six points clear with six to play, Brighton are the only top-half opponent left, and virtually-relegated Wolves and Burnley still visit Elland Road, so safety is within reach but not secured.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk