Leeds United emerged victorious with a well-deserved 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Friday evening, thanks to goals from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph.
After drawing against Sunderland before the international break, Daniel Farke’s team faced another tough challenge against Sheffield United.
The Blades, who were unbeaten going into the game, showcased their rarely seen back five formation which emphasized Chris Wilder’s belief that this would be their toughest match of the season.
Leeds completely dominated the game, controlling possession and putting pressure on Sheffield United throughout. Although they struggled to break through in the first half, a corner kick resulted in the opening goal by Pascal Struijk.
Struijk’s precise finish into the top corner left Sheffield United goalkeeper Michael Cooper helpless, sending Leeds fans into celebration. Mateo Joseph then sealed the win in stoppage time with a goal after a brilliant pass from Joel Piroe.
The victory was even more significant as Leeds had struggled to score from set pieces under Farke, with their last goal from a corner coming in December 2023 – also scored by Struijk. The team’s performance against two promotion contenders in a row will surely boost confidence among players and fans alike.
Sheffield United, who looked outmatched throughout the game, found it difficult to break through Leeds’ tactics of pressing high and maintaining possession. The standout performance of the match came from Player of the Match Ao Tanaka, who contributed significantly to Leeds’ victory.
