NOAH OKAFOR STEPPED off the bench to snatch Leeds three points as they beat Tottenham 1-0 at Elland Road to snap their five-game winless Premier League run.
Okafor struck with his first touch, two minutes after replacing Lukas Nmecha, to seal Leeds’ third league win of the season and condemn resurgent Tottenham to their first defeat in five
The Londoners were chasing their fourth straight win having shot up the table from bottom to ninth place before kick-off, but in a game of few clear-cut chances Okafor’s introduction proved decisive.
James Trafford gifted Bournemouth their opening goal last week with a misplaced pass, but he appeared to have put that behind him, cleanly catching an early cross and then picking out his man with a low clearance.
Trafford spoke this week of his “horrendous” spell at Manchester City last season, saying he had to leave for the sake of his mental wellbeing after playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford makes a save. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
But he is thriving in his number one role at Elland Road and after Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu had fired off target, the England goalkeeper showed his confidence remains undiminished.
He punched clear a dangerous cross from Mohammed Kudus and, as Tottenham began to find their stride, saved well down to his right from Omar Marmoush’s low shot.
Home fans appealed for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Mateus Fernandes on the arm, but VAR ruled otherwise.
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Leeds were wasteful with their balls into the box and they breathed a huge sigh of relief deep in the first half when a lengthy VAR check concluded no serious foul play after Jayden Bogle’s studs had accidentally caught Mathys Tel on his Achilles.
After Nmecha, who made his first start of the season, had headed straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, Tel was unable to continue and was replaced by Dominic Solanke.
Leeds stepped it up after the restart. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header was blocked, Nico Elvedi nodded his follow-up wide and Tanaka fired over the crossbar.
A spell of concerted pressure from the home side raised the noise levels, with Nmecha crowded out after being played into the box.
Tottenham substitute Conor Gallagher flashed a 20-yard shot inches wide and, with the game on a knife’s edge, Ampadu lashed over after Bogle’s initial effort had been blocked.
Kinsky then produced the save of the match to tip Sean Longstaff’s volley over the crossbar – the former Newcastle midfielder made his first league start in almost a year – as Leeds chased the winner.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke sent on Harry Wilson and Okafor for Tanaka and Nmecha with 13 minutes left and it proved a masterstroke as his side broke the deadlock two minutes later.
Wilson played in Okafor with his first touch following a long throw into the box and the Switzerland striker ran on to rifle his finish beyond Kinsky for his second league goal of the season.
Trafford ensured Leeds’ win when he dived full length to keep out Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a late free-kick as Tottenham slipped to their second defeat in eight league games.
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Sub Noah Okafor makes instant impact for Leeds as Spurs see winning run end
Leeds United 1
Tottenham Hotspur 0
NOAH OKAFOR STEPPED off the bench to snatch Leeds three points as they beat Tottenham 1-0 at Elland Road to snap their five-game winless Premier League run.
Okafor struck with his first touch, two minutes after replacing Lukas Nmecha, to seal Leeds’ third league win of the season and condemn resurgent Tottenham to their first defeat in five
The Londoners were chasing their fourth straight win having shot up the table from bottom to ninth place before kick-off, but in a game of few clear-cut chances Okafor’s introduction proved decisive.
James Trafford gifted Bournemouth their opening goal last week with a misplaced pass, but he appeared to have put that behind him, cleanly catching an early cross and then picking out his man with a low clearance.
Trafford spoke this week of his “horrendous” spell at Manchester City last season, saying he had to leave for the sake of his mental wellbeing after playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But he is thriving in his number one role at Elland Road and after Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu had fired off target, the England goalkeeper showed his confidence remains undiminished.
He punched clear a dangerous cross from Mohammed Kudus and, as Tottenham began to find their stride, saved well down to his right from Omar Marmoush’s low shot.
Home fans appealed for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Mateus Fernandes on the arm, but VAR ruled otherwise.
Leeds were wasteful with their balls into the box and they breathed a huge sigh of relief deep in the first half when a lengthy VAR check concluded no serious foul play after Jayden Bogle’s studs had accidentally caught Mathys Tel on his Achilles.
After Nmecha, who made his first start of the season, had headed straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, Tel was unable to continue and was replaced by Dominic Solanke.
Leeds stepped it up after the restart. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header was blocked, Nico Elvedi nodded his follow-up wide and Tanaka fired over the crossbar.
A spell of concerted pressure from the home side raised the noise levels, with Nmecha crowded out after being played into the box.
Tottenham substitute Conor Gallagher flashed a 20-yard shot inches wide and, with the game on a knife’s edge, Ampadu lashed over after Bogle’s initial effort had been blocked.
Kinsky then produced the save of the match to tip Sean Longstaff’s volley over the crossbar – the former Newcastle midfielder made his first league start in almost a year – as Leeds chased the winner.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke sent on Harry Wilson and Okafor for Tanaka and Nmecha with 13 minutes left and it proved a masterstroke as his side broke the deadlock two minutes later.
Wilson played in Okafor with his first touch following a long throw into the box and the Switzerland striker ran on to rifle his finish beyond Kinsky for his second league goal of the season.
Trafford ensured Leeds’ win when he dived full length to keep out Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a late free-kick as Tottenham slipped to their second defeat in eight league games.
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Premier League Soccer Leeds United Tottenham Hotspur