Dan James’ second-minute winner at the Riverside was enough to beat Middlesbrough and keep United’s impressive record intact whilst sending them back to the top of the Championship.
Manager Daniel Farke insisted it was vital to go in front after falling behind in recent away games:
“We were on it today and I think it was of course important to go into the lead,” he said. “I think it’s a while since went in the lead in an away game. Its definitively a decisive factor.”
By nine goals they now lead their nearest rivals Burnley, who share the top two berths with Leeds on 85 points. But United should be four goals further ahead.
Farke’s side had two goals incorrectly ruled out for offside by each of the assistant referees in a tight contest on Teesside.
Remarkably, one of the officials has now ruled out three legitimate goals for Leeds this season alone; Willy Gnonto’s at Coventry City, Joel Piroe’s at home to Millwall and now Ao Tanka’s at Middlesbrough.
Afterwards Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: “If they would be difficult to see I could perhaps live with this coincidence.
“But if its always two, three or four yards anyhow then why do we keep sending this assistant referee to games with Leeds United?
“I don’t say anything but … at some point you should protect him at least and send him to a different game.”
In all those matches, despite being denied the goals United have come away with all the spoils but that is not Farke’s point.
“I’m struggling for words because we are playing here for such a big reward because we are going up to the Premier League and millions of pounds and then we allow this,” he said.
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