Dan James' goal in the first half secured a crucial victory for promotion-seeking Leeds United against struggling Stoke City at Elland Road.
This win marked Leeds' 10th triumph in 11 league matches, although they had to endure a period of intense pressure from the relegation-threatened Stoke, who finished the game with 10 men following Ben Pearson's late dismissal.
Despite Ipswich's comeback win against Bristol City, which kept them in second place, Daniel Farke's side remained third in the Championship table, trailing by two points behind Ipswich and five points behind leaders Leicester.
Leeds asserted dominance from the outset and felt aggrieved not to receive an early penalty when Daniel Iversen appeared to impede James. However, the breakthrough came after James, combining with Rutter, skillfully navigated past Gooch and Burger before slotting home.
Stoke improved after halftime, with Meslier called into action to deny Baker and Campbell, while Hoever missed a chance to equalize. Despite Leeds threatening on the counter, Stoke's hopes dwindled further when Pearson's off-the-ball altercation with James led to his second yellow card.
Daniel Farke expressed pride in his team's performance, considering the match as their best win in 2024 due to the pressure to secure a victory at home. He emphasized the importance of grinding out results, especially against teams fighting relegation.
Stoke City's head coach, Steven Schumacher, commended his team's resilience and character, highlighting their ability to withstand pressure and maintain composure. He believed the performance should instill confidence going forward, despite the result.
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