Leeds top Bristol City to go second in Championship

After defeating Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate, Leeds United advanced into the Championship’s automatic promotion spots. Head coach Daniel Farke praised the team’s performance, calling it “almost perfect away.”

With a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Wilfried Gnonto in the 48th minute, they are now one point ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town and nine behind the dominant Leicester City, even though the Blues still have two games remaining and the Foxes have one over Leeds.

The Italian winger raced on to a deflected long pass forward from Junior Firpo and beat goalkeeper Max O’Leary with a superb left-footed effort from ten yards.

It was no more than Leeds deserved for a hugely impressive display in a largely one-sided contest, with their hosts out of sorts and only able to create a few openings.

Leeds should have won by a wider margin as they outplayed their mid-table opponents, but a mixture of Max O’Leary saves and some poor finishing kept City in the game.

Farke was delighted with the majority of his side’s display but admits they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal if they want to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

“The margin of victory should have been greater. It was almost the perfect away performance,” said Farke.

“We were so dominant and created so many chances, but I have to criticise our failure to put them away.

“If we want to be celebrating in May we have to be more clinical.

“We weren’t getting the final throw over three yards when we were breaking in three-on-one situations.

“That needs to alter. However, I am quite pleased with the guys in every other way.”

After 66 minutes, City had a fantastic opportunity to tie the score when Anis Mehmeti, a replacement, sprinted onto a Tommy Conway ball. However, Illan Meslier saved his low effort on the second try.

However, O’Leary produced some excellent saves to deny Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford, and the energetic Crysencio Summerville on three separate occasions.

At times, the home team appeared to be lagging behind, but head coach Liam Manning was unconcerned.

First of all, I have to give Leeds credit for being the best team we have faced, but tonight we fell short of our potential.

We can do so much better, and that is why I am frustrated. After making mistakes, the players seemed to become more tense.

“Leeds was the greatest team we faced out of the top teams. They should be able to withstand a challenge to advancement.”