Ao Tanaka sends three-word message after Leeds win v Millwall
Leeds United took further steps towards promotion to the Premier League on Wednesday after a 2-0 win against Millwall at Elland Road.
A 1-0 defeat against Portsmouth on Sunday (9 March) left the Whites level at the top of the Championship table with Sheffield United.
However, after the Blades dropped points with a draw on Tuesday, Daniel Farke’s men were able to take advantage of that and now have a two-point gap at the top of the table.
Ao Tanaka steps up for Leeds United again
If there is one man who has been a strong addition to the Leeds team this season, it is Tanaka who has seriously impressed.
The midfielder performed back at his top level in the clash against Millwall, as he killed the game off in the 85th minute to make it 2-0.
| Statistics | |
| Goals | 1 |
| Passing accuracy | 85% |
| Ground duels won | 60% |
| Aerial duels won | 86% |
| FotMob rating | 8.9 |
A victory against rivals Millwall was always going to put a smile on the faces of supporters at Elland Road but with Sheffield United and Burnley both drawing on Tuesday, it meant a lot more for the Whites.
Sitting two points clear at the top of the Championship table puts promotion back into the hands of Farke’s men.
This may provide added pressure between now and the end of the season, but it does mean the West Yorkshire outfit don’t have to rely on anyone else as it stands.
Following the game, Tanaka took to Instagram (13 March) to share a message to supporters as he said: “Just keep pushing.”
Leeds cannot afford more mistakes
Although Farke has got his team playing some excellent football this season, the standards shown against Portsmouth were way off and as a result, Leeds found themselves with no advantage in the table.
However, with other sides dropping points, the Whites were given an opportunity against Millwall which they certainly took and dealt with the pressure well.
The task for Leeds now is to learn from their previous mistakes and ensure the standards are kept high right until the end of the campaign.
If other sides continue to drop points, it does leave some margin for error in West Yorkshire but Farke’s men cannot afford to fall out of the top spot again.
With just four points separating Leeds at the top of the table and Burnley in third, it will be a tight race until the end and with the Whites having taken back their control, they cannot lose it again.