Kyle Newbould: Leeds United’s 2-1 Old Trafford win, three key conclusions | OneFootball

Leeds United made history again with a 2-1 win at Manchester United, their first league victory at Old Trafford in 45 years following last week’s first FA Cup quarter-final success since 1987. Noah Okafor struck twice before the break to set up a famous night.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, three clear takeaways emerged from a contest Leeds largely controlled. Lisandro Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair, then Casemiro’s back-post header from a Bruno Fernandes cross made for a tense finish, but Leeds held firm.

With Anton Stach sidelined by an ankle injury, Daniel Farke partnered Ao Tanaka with Ethan Ampadu, preferring the passer to Ilia Gruev. Tanaka delivered a technically sharp display, recording 69 touches, second in white only to Gabriel Gudmundsson, and 42 accurate passes, bettered only by Pascal Struijk and Ampadu in 74 minutes. He pressed aggressively and was unlucky not to score after nicking possession and rounding Senne Lammens.

Game management, a recent weakness, improved markedly. Leeds might have been four or five up at half-time and Martinez’s dismissal tilted it further, yet after Calvert-Lewin missed a free header and Casemiro pulled one back, nerves set in. Having conceded twice in added time at West Ham, the visitors used Tanaka’s cramp and smart changes, with Gruev and Willy Gnonto helping recycle possession through seven added minutes.

The victory felt like a leap towards safety after no league win since early February and no away win since September amid injury worries. Leeds were the better side for long spells and the post-whistle celebrations, with Farke sinking to his knees, underlined its significance.

They are now six points clear with six games left. Brighton at home on the penultimate weekend is the only top-half opponent remaining, while virtually-relegated Wolves and Burnley still visit Elland Road. Survival is not sealed, but it is within reach.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk