Lucas Nmeka’s acrobatic goal in the 91st minute secured a vital 1-0 win against Fulham, keeping Leeds eight points clear, but fans from both groups paid tribute to late Leeds legend Terry Yorath on the day.
A number of missed chances from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brendan Aaronson looked like the home side would take a point, but Nmeka’s late strike wreaked havoc on Elland Road, who were raucous and punished Fulham’s inferior side who had created few chances.
The win means Leeds remain eight points clear of the drop zone after West Ham’s late win over Spurs, while Fulham drop to 10th and move further out of Europe.
A touching tribute to Yorath was held before kick-off, with fans from both teams applauding within minutes as Yorath’s daughter Gabby Logan watched from the stands.
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Leeds United and Elland Road paid tribute to former player Terry Yorath ahead of their Premier League game against Fulham.
The match got off to a frenetic start, with both teams attacking with purpose but without quality. Aaronson, who was in good form, grabbed the biggest chance early on. The attacker found himself one-on-one with Bernd Leno inside the Fulham goal when he latched onto Jayden Bogle’s lofted through ball, but his ill-timed half-volley went wide and into the goal, missing the visitors.
The home team had overwhelming possession and chances from beginning to end. They continued to pose a threat, but lacked the cutting edge, and much of the second period told a similar story to the first. Calvert-Lewin looked certain to put his side in the lead with an hour left when he converted a great cross from Aaronson, but somehow he missed from close range.
Despite a sluggish attack that registered 0.09xG in the second half, Marco Silva’s side continued to defend resolutely and looked like they had secured a vital point, but the visitors’ hearts were broken when a series of failed clearances led to the winning goal in stoppage time.
A miskick by three Fulham players gave Ampadu space to pick up a loose ball on the left. The Welshman fired a beautiful shot that a determined Nmeka made contact with with his outstretched legs and was able to thread it past Leno and take the lead in the end.
Falke: Best win of the season
Leeds manager Daniel Farke told Sky Sports:
“It was our best win of the season. We played against a Fulham team who are in good form. It was a great win and three important points.
“We were relentless until the end. For me, it was the best win of the season.
“We didn’t let them show their attacking quality. We kept going, we kept going, we were relentless, we had faith. And those were important three points for us.”
“We wanted to get this win, and the players showed a top-class performance.”
About Lucas Nmeka:
“He proved me right and showed his quality with his finishing. For me, he is one of the best of our German strikers and he showed it with the important goal that earned us all three points.”
What the team is confident about:
“Other results don’t matter to us, we know exactly what we have to do.
“We need to earn points to be safe.
“Today we got three important points and we are getting closer. Today is a reason to be happy and let’s celebrate today.”
Silva: We must be unhappy
Fulham manager Marco Silva told Sky Sports:
“It wasn’t a good performance from us. Leeds won the game so we have to congratulate them. We knew it was going to be difficult depending on the way they played and the way they pressed.”
“We were below our standards in the second half, so we definitely have to improve. We have to be happy with the way we conceded goals.”
About his yellow card:
“It’s normal in matches. Simple things between me and the officials. Nothing more. Maybe a little emotional, but we have to accept it.”
