Heidi's blog Leeds United v Middlesbrough 10/12/24
I’m glad I managed to have a bit of shut eye before setting off for Leeds because of feeling drained and emotional, but it did me the world of good. As always though, getting to Elland Road lifts the mood and it was good to meet some fans from Dallas in the Peacock showing once again how far our fan base extends around the world. I’d already met a Leeds fan earlier in the day in Huddersfield where of course, I was wearing my Leeds United colours.
Team: Meslier, Struijk, James, Rodon, Joseph, Gnonto, Rothwell, Wöber, Aaronson, Tanaka, Byram.
Subs: Solomon for Joseph (69), Piroe for Gnonto (69), Ampadu for Byram (85), Guilavogui for Rothwell (90+4), Schmidt for James (90+4).
Subs not used: Darlow, Bamford, Ramazani, Crew.
Leeds won the game 3-1 with Gnonto (14), James (74), Aaronson (90+2) scoring the goals.
Attendance: 36,422, 2,888 Boro fans.
Referee: Ben Toner.
Booked: Wöber.
With Leeds starting on the front foot and very much in charge we took an early lead. Byram sent James down the wing towards the South Stand, who sent a great cross into the middle. The keeper saved from Joseph before trying to clear the ball only to see it bounce off Gnonto into the net. It was Boro who tried to get back into the game as down the left-hand side towards us, there were three players bearing down towards the Kop. We cleared that attack before they had another go and just as Rodon went to kick the ball their player appeared in front of him and went down. Luckily the referee played on. We had another good chance but the final shot from Aaronson was way over the top of the goal. Gnonto saw his great shot parried by their keeper. It was quite frustrating for a while as we slowed the game down, playing out from the back but inviting Boro to attack us. There was no urgency and eventually as we were getting too close for comfort, Meslier started taking goal kicks instead to get the ball away from the goal. We had James to be thankful for using his speed to run across the goalmouth to stop an attack after our free kick at the other end was blocked. Half time arrived with us still leading by the only goal of the game.
The second half saw Boro come out fighting and Meslier made a great save to keep them out. Sadly, from the resulting corner, Wöber trying to clear the ball saw his header fly past Meslier into the net to equalise. Boro did their job to obstruct Meslier with Gnonto fighting two players but only succeeded in blocking him in. At this point Boro were the stronger of the two sides as I feared they would get a second goal to take the lead as their man only had Meslier to beat, but he pulled off a last gasp save to get the ball.
As it was, we were the team to regain our composure once Farke made our first two subs on 69 minutes. Within five minutes, James had seen one shot saved by the keeper who caught the ball at the second attempt as Leeds upped the tempo. After some great play by Byram who won the ball back, Piroe passed the ball for James to once again come forward as his speed took him past the Boro defenders. He let fly with a fantastic shot that hit the top corner of the goal to send us back into the lead as Elland Road erupted. What a goal and I’m so pleased James got it. He got his wish for a song tonight which started in the Kop then spread around the ground, “he’s here, he’s there, he’s every f**king where Dan James, Dan James”. I was right when there was seven minutes of injury time to play as I said let’s get a goal a minute to seal the win. Well, we didn’t get that, but we had players queuing up to put the ball into the net as James played Tanaka into the box and with the keeper advancing, he sent the ball across the box where Aaronson bundled it into the net to put the game beyond any doubt. I had thought getting a draw would be a good result tonight so to get all three points with another win was brilliant. It was also the best atmosphere of the season tonight which was great to be part of as Boro fans played their part to make it that way too.
Back to the top of the table once again as we head to Preston on Saturday for another early kick off. It was good to see that Farke had utilised the squad for today’s game just like I asked for. With three games in a week, it is what is needed but it was also great to see Ampadu back on the pitch after being out injured for a while. See you at Deepdale, LUFC – Marching on Together!