Credit: Imago / Sky Sports

Dan Godfrey

Wed 9 April 2025 8:10, UK

Leeds United can give themselves a pat on the back as they returned to winning ways against Middlesbrough while Sheffield United and Burnley dropped points.

Leeds have had a penchant for very early goals and quick starts in the Championship this term and didn’t break the habit, as Dan James’ second-minute strike proved decisive at the Riverside Stadium (8 April).

Sheffield United, meanwhile, suffered their second successive defeat at the hands of Millwall at Bramall Lane, while Burnley played out a goalless stalemate at Derby County as the Rams play for survival.

But it could have been very different, and out of Leeds’ hands for that matter.

Stuart Dallas blasts officials after incident v Middlesbrough

Dallas didn’t hold back in the analysis of the game, which Leeds fortunately won 1-0 despite a horrendous assistant referee call.

Ao Tanaka was denied a second goal before half-time when he was adjudged to have been offside, despite Hayden Hackney certainly playing him behind the line and Ray van den Berg looking to keep him onside as well.

The decision to chalk off Tanaka’s goal has been lamented by many already, and Dallas pointed out, while talking on Sky Sports Football (8 April, 20:52), it could have had dire consequences had the result – and those elsewhere – been different.

“He knows he’s hard done by, it’s a ridiculous decision yet again,” the former Elland Road favourite blasted.

“There’s nobody held accountable for it really – Leeds will probably get a letter for it during the week apologising. If it finishes 1-1 and there’s nobody held accountable, and the other teams had won tonight, then there’s a massive gap.

“Like I say, it’s a ridiculous decision – the assistant can see right along the barrel. How he gets it wrong, I don’t know, but here we are.”

Had it cost Leeds, there would certainly have been a huge inquest – and Farke will no doubt still be seething with that element of the game.

However, it will be nothing on what would have been the case had Boro later levelled the match on Teesside.

Leeds United back in the driving seat

When the officials watch back the incident involving Tanaka, they will surely breathe a huge sigh of relief it didn’t transpire to affect proceedings.

It could potentially have cost Leeds promotion, and while EFL officials have it harder without VAR to lean on, Dallas is spot on. Decisions of that magnitude have to be right – particularly when that clear.

However, Leeds can move towards their final five games fully back in the ascendancy, now level on points with Scott Parker’s Burnley as Chris Wilder’s Blades move out to third.

While Dallas discusses the Whites feeling hard done by, whoever finishes third in the Championship this term will feel that tenfold – and Farke and his squad know exactly the frustration that comes with it from last year’s Championship escapade.

Next up is a welcome return to Elland Road, as Leeds host Preston North End on Saturday (12 April). They’re back to a winning note, at a perfectly ideal time.