Leeds United came from behind to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, but Chris Wilder was still able to be very gracious and congratulatory in defeat.
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United had every right to be confident heading into Monday night’s Bramall Lane clash, having accumulated the same amount of points as Leeds, only two behind due to a points deduction from pre-season.
Their start to the game emphasised their eagerness to put pressure on Leeds at the top of the league, taking the lead early on before being pegged back in the second half.
Illan Meslier’s own goal set Leeds back in the first half as the Blades tried to put Leeds seriously under the cosh for the opening 20 minutes.
Leeds grew back into the game for the rest of the first half and continued to re-assert their dominance after half-time when Joe Rothwell and Mateo Joseph were introduced from the bench.
They got their reward as Junior Firpo’s bullet header went beyond Michael Cooper on 72 minutes, before another late winner from a corner, as Firpo’s first contact was turned in by Ao Tanaka at the far post, left unmarked by Gus Hamer.
Leeds weren’t done there, though, as they regained possession from kick-off, with Joel Piroe releasing Dan James out wide, before getting the ball back 20 yards from goal and unleashing a stunning drive to make it 3-1.
There was an interesting dynamic on the touchline, with Daniel Farke banned for the game after his late celebrations against Sunderland brought him a third booking of the season.
Cameras picked up an incensed Wilder as Leeds secured their victory, but the Blades boss was incredibly gracious in defeat, as revealed by Farke (via Beren Cross):
“Chris waited in the tunnel to congratulate every one of my members of staff. Top quality person and the best manager Sheffield United could have at the moment.”
You would have forgiven Wilder for being bitter in the aftermath to that game, having a point snatched away from them in the dying moments.
However, this sort of class is really refreshing to see and does show the respect there between himself and Farke.
Not many times have Leeds been rocked like that early in a game, and hopefully the Blades are the last side to spook our back line like that.
Daniel Farke reveals really classy Chris Wilder gesture after Leeds United triumph
