Credit: Imago

James Barker

Tue 12 May 2026 6:55, UK

Sean Longstaff almost became the Leeds United hero in stoppage time against Tottenham, but he and the Whites were denied three points.

Having started the game on the bench against Tottenham on Monday night, Daniel Farke eventually turned to the midfielder as an injury time substitute in the second half.

Leeds had gone a goal down thanks to Mathys Tel’s brilliant goal on 50 minutes, but had levelled the scores through Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s penalty with a little over 15 minutes to play in the match.

So, with 93 minutes on the clock, Longstaff made his entrance in the game by replacing Ao Tanaka, and remarkably, he still had 10 minutes to try and leave his impression on things after 13 minutes of stoppage time were added on.

Leeds could only manage a draw against Spurs though, but in the 98th minute, Longstaff was denied his hero moment thanks to a fantastic save by Lilywhites goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

What did Sean Longstaff say after Tottenham vs Leeds?

After making an excellent run into the Tottenham box, Longstaff fired a powerful first-time shot with his left foot to the near post, hoping to catch Kinsky out.

However, the young Czech was alert to Longstaff’s effort, and made a superb one-handed reactionary save to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Longstaff was Leeds’ hero against Bournemouth when he came off the bench late in that game back on 22 April before scoring the equaliser in added time, and he came so close to repeating those heroics once again in North London.

Unfortunately, fate wasn’t on his side this time round, but taking to his Instagram account after the full-time whistle blew in N17, Longstaff sent a clear message regarding the mentality of this Leeds side.

“Fighting until the very end,” said the midfielder.

Longstaff could start Leeds’ final two games

Having started only 10 of his 22 Premier League appearances for Leeds this season, Longstaff has largely been a squad player during his debut campaign at Elland Road.

But, with Leeds’ top-flight status now secured, Farke may well feel inclined to hand the 28-year-old an extended opportunity to play more minutes over the final two games of the season.

Both he and Leeds transfer chiefs will want as clear a picture as possible going into the summer window regarding who is and isn’t in the first-team plans, and Longstaff’s recent cameos have surely earned him the chance for more minutes.

Offering him the chance to start these final two matches would present him with a deserved opportunity to stake his claim ahead of next term, whilst also potentially protecting someone like an Ethan Ampadu from an unnecessary injury.