Daniel Farke wrong to say persistent Leeds United issue is ‘buried’ ahead of Man City game
Leeds United have been the kings of conceding late goals in the Premier League season – no matter how much Daniel Farke wants to deny it.
Farke is doing a stellar job at Elland Road, which was a far cry from the days in late November when the German looked set to be sacked as Leeds dropped into the relegation zone.
Arguably, the turning point for Leeds’ season came at half-time when the Whites were 2-0 down at Manchester City on 29 November.
A change in formation from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2, in addition to some half-time changes, helped Leeds roar back to 2-2 before conceding a stoppage-time winner.
Much has been made of the statistic that if games had ended after 85 minutes this season, Leeds would be ninth in the table. Instead, they are 15th.
The Yorkshire team have shipped 12 league goals from the 86th minute onward this term, but why is it happening?
One could argue that Farke’s late substitutions, leading to extra-tired players staying on the pitch longer than they should, is a factor.
Bad luck is another, as is game management, and having less strength in depth. Another is a paucity of experience at Premier League level.
Farke acknowledged these points but seemed to suggest this won’t keep happening…
Daniel Farke must learn lessons from past Leeds mistakes
As The Athletic points out, Leeds have become hard to beat in recent months. Indeed, a run of two losses in 14 league games is evidence of that.
For instance, no Premier League side has made fewer errors leading to goals (three) or mistakes leading to shots (10) than Leeds.
Moreover, only Arsenal and Everton have conceded fewer than Leeds’ 84 turnovers in their own defensive third. In response to a question about Leeds’ late goal weakness, Farke stood his ground.
He told reporters on Thursday: “When I think about equalisers against Liverpool, when I think about the late goal against Everton, that instead of having one point earns us three points.
“When I think about the late goal against Fulham, that wins us three points instead of one point. I think we have also scored many, many important late goals.”
Everton’s opening day winner against Everton was from an 84th-minute Lukas Nmecha penalty. Ao Tanaka scored in the 96th minute to rescue a 3-3 draw against Liverpool in December, and Nmecha bagged a 91st-minute winner against Fulham in January. But that’s it in that regard.
That doesn’t balance out the exponentially larger amount of goals they are conceding late on. They sit six points above the relegation zone in 15th, and if that trend continues, it could come back to haunt them.
Farke added: “Sometimes you’re a bit on the lucky end and you win late. Sometimes you lose a point or two points late. That’s what you then also have to accept.
“Of course, it’s more or less like once you’re a promoted side, you’re more likely to lose sometimes late points instead of winning sometimes when you’re just a dominating side.
“I think that’s also quite normal, but I wouldn’t interpret it too much into it because you also have the skill to turn games and to win late points and have done this as well. So for that, we also focus only on the next game and the topic is already buried.”
It is important to point out that Leeds have repeatedly come from behind to claim points with second-half goals. The first Liverpool draw, points at Brentford, Sunderland and Chelsea are examples of that.
Nevertheless, if Leeds concede late on again, this topic should not be “buried”. And if it does rear its ugly head, Farke will shoulder some of the blame.
Leeds seek to end tough Man City run
Leeds know they have a tough test against second-placed Man City on Saturday evening. They will hope their excellent late night home record can see them secure an upset.
In fact, Leeds haven’t lost any of their last 25 league or play-off matches at Elland Road that have kicked off after 5pm (20 wins and five draws) since a 6-1 defeat to Liverpool in April 2023. Many of these, though, have been in the Championship.
Leeds have lost each of their last five Premier League games against Man City, having tasted defeat on just four of their first 16 against them in the competition (seven wins and five draws).
Draws have become something of a habit for Leeds. Since the start of December, Leeds have drawn more games than any other Premier League side (eight), with Farke’s team going 1-0 ahead in three of their last four draws, which all ended 1-1.
Finally, since the start of 2021-22 season, Leeds have only kept a clean sheet in seven of their 43 Premier League matches when they’ve scored first. If they are to get a shock result at City, they need their best performance of the season.
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