Ao Tanaka makes history as Leeds United stun Chelsea
Ao Tanaka made history for Leeds United in the Premier League during their crucial win over Chelsea.
Daniel Farke has been in major sack danger at Leeds but the German got a much-needed boost as Chelsea were beaten 3-1 at Elland Road thanks to goals from Jaka Bijol, Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The result came off the back of Leeds‘ fightback to level at Man City from two goals down, which fell short thanks to Phil Foden’s late winner.
Bijol’s sixth-minute header was his first for Leeds, while Tanaka’s long-range strike in the 43rd was a club first since the introduction of the Premier League back in 1992.
Tanaka becomes Leeds first ever Asian scorer in Premier League
According to Opta the Japan international became Leeds United’s first ever Premier League goalscorer from Asia.
His was the 808th the club have netted in the top flight since it replaced the old First Division.
Lee Chapman netted the first and second Whites goals in the newly-formed division as Wimbledon were beaten 2-1 in August 1992 under Howard Wilkinson, and the former manager was at Elland Road for the Chelsea win as he inducted into the National Football Museum hall of fame.
Leeds climbed out of the bottom three with the victory, above West Ham who face Man United tonight, with another key clash against struggling Liverpool next up on Saturday at Elland Road.
Farke makes things awkward for 49ers
Farke‘s job was on the line even as he was lifting the Championship trophy last season but the 49ers seemingly decided it would be too harsh to get rid of him at that point.
The recent run of bad form had some impressive elements, including the first half of the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, and the second half at the Etihad at the weekend, but with nothing to show for it the writing seemed to be on the wall for the German.
But having comprehensively outplayed a Chelsea side who had just gone toe to toe with league-leaders Arsenal despite being down to 10 men, and also hammered Barcelona 3-0, it can’t be argued there is no hope for this group of players under Farke.
Follow it up with another result against Liverpool, who are finding it harder than ever to put wins together, and the Whites boss will be making it very difficult for the club’s owners to get rid of him.
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