Leeds United’s excellent night saw them halt Middlesbrough’s nine-game undefeated streak and return to the automatic promotion spots with a 4-3 victory – and one player in particular is back to his best.
With only one point from their last three games (losses to Coventry and Blackburn), Monday night’s game against Middlesbrough must be won. Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood are in the stands.
Leeds finally scored four goals after failing to score more than one in the previous three games, capping off a wild ride. In the first 45 minutes, Cree Summerville scored two goals, one for Patrick Bamford and one for Willy Gnonto.
Leeds returns to second position after the win, but they have now played one more game than any of their title competitors. Leicester lead with 91 from 43, Leeds second with 90 from 44, and Ipswich third with 89 from 43.
In 2024, only two other players have more assists than Junior Firpo.
It’s really tight, and Southampton could still be in contention, at least before their last-minute loss to Cardiff City on Saturday. But points on the board are preferable to extra games in hand.
Unlike the previous three games, Leeds appeared to have regained confidence and were willing to take risks. Yes, three goals were surrendered, but four excellent ones were scored. Junior Firpo appeared possessed.
Now one of the older players and undoubtedly one of the most experienced, the £13 million signing has yet to demonstrate what he can do when at his best after moving from Barcelona under Marcelo Bielsa’s management.
Firpo produces the best display for Leeds since signing, says Newsome.
However, he has begun to do so since the turn of the year, after recovering from injury and being named first choice in the Leeds squad. He has seven assists since January 1, and only two Championship players have more.
Georginio Rutter is a Leeds player, and Leif Davis is a former one. Firpo contributed two assists on the occasion, the first being a superb cross for striker Bamford to score.
Billy Sharp characterized the cross as Stewart Downing-esque. The second was a clean, well-timed, and weighted pass into Summerville. Jon Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds that it was his best performance since joining in 2021.
“I thought Junior Firpo was absolutely outstanding, really was, the best I have seen him play, defensively and going forward,” Newsome said of the Leeds defender, who has had defensive troubles.
