Bamford takes swipe at Middlesbrough v Leeds officials with social media post
Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table with a 1-0 victory away at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
After a recent dip in form, a goal from Dan James in the second minute of the game was a relief for those in the away end.
Leeds had the ball in the net another two times through Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford but both were ruled offside.
Bamford speaks out after Leeds goal
It has been a tough season for Bamford, who has missed the majority of this season through injury, having to settle for a place on the sidelines.
The striker was brought on in the 73rd minute by Daniel Farke for what was just his 12th Championship appearance of the season.
With the Whites looking to return to their best, it’s fair to say that many wouldn’t have anticipated Bamford being the answer.
That is a fair assessment given that he has yet to find the back of the net this season – officially, at least.
What’s more, on the 31-year-old’s 200th Leeds appearance, a goal would have topped the evening off nicely for a man who is surely destined to leave Elland Road in the summer.
Although he was being played onside, assistant referee Darren Williams flagged the goal as being off.
Thankfully for Leeds, they saw out the game at the Riverside, and with other results going their way, returned to the summit.
It may have been a good evening for those in West Yorkshire but Bamford was eager to let the officials what he thought of the decision.
Posting on Instagram (8 April), he said: “A privilege to make my 200th appearance tonight, Leeds United. Great to finish it with 3 points and a goal…We keep going. All Leeds aren’t we?”
Leeds handed another chance
Leeds’ recent drop off set the nerves going inside Elland Road with worries that the season was going to tell a similar story to one of the past.
If the Whites fall out of an automatic promotion place, it’s fair to say that history does not suggest a play-off campaign would go their way.
However, with Burnley drawing and Sheffield United losing, Farke’s men have returned to the top of the table.
| Team | Position | Goal Difference | Points |
| Leeds United | 1 | 52 | 85 |
| Burnley | 2 | 43 | 85 |
| Sheffield United | 3 | 25 | 83 |
The West Yorkshire outfit are level on points with Burnley and the race for promotion is as close as it has been all season, meaning there is no room for standards to drop again.
Leeds have to take their recent woes as a warning of how wrong things can go if they let their standards slip and use it as motivation to keep going instead.
Bamford may be set to see his time with Leeds come to an end, but if he can play his part in the final period of the season, it will certainly feel like a full-circle moment.