Daniel Farke will feel like the most relieved man in the country after watching his Leeds United side stun Chelsea to win 3-1 at Elland Road, and climb out of the relegation zone.
Numerous reports going into the game said that Farke needed a result from the next two games, or the 49ers would decide to sack him. Paraag Marathe was at Elland Road to watch Leeds play host to Chelsea.
What a win! Who was your Man of the Match? 🔥
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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Not many predicted what would happen next. While many felt like there was some momentum after the second half against Chelsea, a 3-1 win over Enzo Maresca’s side is not something fans saw coming.
Jaka Bijol scored his first Leeds goal, Ao Tanaka got his first Premier League goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted his second in two games, his third Leeds goal. Lukas Nmecha had one disallowed.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesEthan Ampadu discusses speculation surrounding Daniel Farke
For Farke, things have been intense over the last six weeks. His job hasn’t been made any easier with Sean Longstaff and Dan James picking up injuries. But he changed the system, was proactive, and it paid off.
What a performance, what a win, and a lot of credit deserves to go to Farke. After full-time, skipper Ethan Ampadu was asked about speculation surrounding Farke. He said Farke has the backing of the squad.
“No matter who is here, we are behind everyone, everyone is on board, players and staff. We worked so hard to get to this position the last two years, now we are here we want to achieve together,” he said.
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Ethan Ampadu’s stunning performance for Leeds in numbers
Gary Neville says Leeds have a future with Farke and it feels that way. It wasn’t a random win, it was one born out of tactical nous, belief and riding the wave of momentum. Farke got it absolutely perfect.
But he’s not the only one to receive criticism. Ampadu has struggled to maintain the form that saw him become one of the best midfielders outside of the Premier League in England over the last two years.
Ethan Ampadu’s excellent stats for Leeds in win over Chelsea 📊
Ethan Ampadu’s stats for Leeds in win v Chelsea:
- 90 minutes played, 7.4 FotMob rating
- 53 touches (Leeds highest), 23/27 successful passes (85%)
- 17 defensive contributions (best on pitch)
- 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 block, 6 recoveries, 6 clearances
- Five duels won (joint fifth)
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Letting players run off him for goals against West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, Ampadu was back at his best on Wednesday, perhaps spurred on with facing the side that let him go in 2023.
Leeds need to make use of this momentum and take advantage of Liverpool’s struggles on Saturday, with Arne Slot’s side failing to beat Sunderland on Wednesday night and almost losing to the Black Cats.
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