Credit: Bein Sport/X

Cameron Smith

Tue 14 April 2026 16:40, UK

Leeds United secured a season-defining result on Monday, with Daniel Farke’s side beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford.

The Whites would dominate large parts of the encounter, with Manchester United actually fortunate to go into the halftime pause just two goals down.

Noah Okafor would score a brace on the night, while the travelling West Yorkshire outfit outclassed their rivals, forging a six-point gap to the bottom three in the process.

Though, with Leeds dominating the match, Paul Tierney’s decision to send off Lisandro Martinez has dominated the post-match narrative since.

Reacting to the incident in his blog, Richard Keys has stood with the referee, while praising Farke’s side for their performance on the night.

Richard Keys stands with Paul Tierney after Lisandro Martinez red card decision

Heading into Monday’s clash, Whites fans were thinking mainly of damage limitation, after being dragged back into trouble across recent weeks.

Instead, they turned up at Old Trafford and more than matched the side sitting third in the standings.

The controversy of the evening came just over 10 minutes into the second half, when Man United centre-back Martinez was sent off for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

While it was not the most malicious of incidents, referee Tierney was given no choice but to hand out a red card after being sent to the monitor.

Rio Ferdinand was among those to disagree with the decision, but writing in his blog on Monday, presenter Keys said: “Of course Martinez had to go off.

“We all know the law concerning the offence he committed. I’ve no idea what [Michael] Carrick/ Ferdinand and co are whining about. The decision was correct.”

The result itself propels the Whites up to 15th, with the chance of further extending the gap to the drop zone as they welcome basement dwellers Wolves to Elland Road on Saturday.

“I was really pleased to see Leeds get the win at OT that secures their PL place,” added Keys.

“I said it would be home form that kept them up, but that was an ‘away’ performance as good as they’ve put in.

“City wasn’t bad earlier in the season, but they got nothing out of that game. I think it was the turning point in their campaign though.”

Why Wolves game is now a ‘bonus’ clash for Leeds

After a string of draws heading into the international break last month, many among the fanbase were beginning to look at Saturday’s clash with Wolves as the day when the survival bid would be put back on track.

The Old Gold have won just three league matches this season, while Farke’s side dispatched them comfortably 3-1 at Molineux earlier this season.

Instead, they now have the luxury of using Saturday as a day to really begin extending the gap before the run-in.

Naturally, the Whites are the firm favourites to beat Wolves, and this is a badge that they can now wear, rather than carrying the potential pressure associated with it.

Following this, Farke’s side will begin preparing for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, that they may be able to enjoy more knowing that their top-flight future is all but secured.