With 12 games to go, Leeds United are sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table and after Monday night’s win over Sheffield United, promotion does seem an inevitability.
After a comeback win against Sunderland last Monday, Leeds came from 1-0 down at Bramall Lane to go and win 3-1 against second-placed Sheffield United. Chris Wilder’s side looked beleaguered late on.
Illan Meslier offered little to sway Leeds critics in the first 20 minutes and it culminated into an own goal. But Leeds grew from there and eventually equalised when Junior Firpo powered home a brilliant header.
Ao Tanaka put Leeds 2-1 up on 89 minutes, his header managing to find it’s way in despite a player on the line. Tanaka’s goal left Meslier relieved, before Joel Piroe smashed home his 15th goal of the season.
Tony Dorigo believes Sheffield United man should have seen red
But the scoreline flattered Leeds with Sheffield United arguably providing Leeds with their biggest test of the season. The Blades played some really nice football, undoing the Leeds defence on a few occasions.
Gustavo Hamer was perhaps, a surprise omission from the starting line-up but he came on in the second half and instantly got himself booked – a desperate lunge on his former Blades teammate Jayden Bogle.
In the 86th minute, Tanaka turned Hamer inside out and the Brazil-born playmaker brought Tanaka down. Dorigo was co-commentating on LUTV and he feels Hamer was lucky not to be shown a second yellow.
“He just goes straight through the back of him, you think if he didn’t have a yellow already then the referee might have awarded one. Tanaka’s is no worse than that. He’s a lucky boy to still be on the pitch.”
Gustavo Hamer did little to prove himself to Leeds United fans
Last summer, Leeds made a £13m bid for Hamer having already raided Wilder’s side for Bogle. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the bid was rejected and Leeds have since been left with Brenden Aaronson in the 10 role.
Hamer has gone on to have a very solid season, even if he has momentarily lost his place in Wilder’s side. On Monday night, he came on and had the chance to show Leeds fans why Daniel Farke wanted him.
Ultimately, he looked a yard or two off the pace with Bogle flying past him and Tanaka far too clever when turning him inside out. If Leeds are destined for the Premier League, Leeds will need better than Hamer.
‘Lucky’: Tony Dorigo says £13m player should have been sent off in the tie Sheffield United vs Leeds United
