Leeds United moved into the Championship automatic promotion places following a 1-0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate, with coach Daniel Farke describing it as a “almost perfect away performance.”
Wilfried Gnonto‘s 48th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 victory, putting them one point ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town and nine behind runaway leaders Leicester City, despite the fact that the Blues have two games in hand on Leeds.
The Italian winger beat goalkeeper Ipswich Town with a superb left-footed effort from 10 yards after latching onto a deflected long ball forward from Junior Firpo.
It was no more than Leeds deserved following an outstanding performance in a mainly one-sided game, with their opponents out of sorts and only able to create a few openings.
Leeds should have won by a larger margin after outplaying their mid-table opponents, but City held on thanks to Max O’Leary saves and some bad finishing.
Farke was pleased with the majority of his team’s performance, but acknowledges they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to regain promotion to the Premier League.
“The margin of victory should have been larger. “It was almost the perfect away performance,” Farke stated.
“We were so dominant and created so many opportunities, but I have to blame our failure to convert them.
“If we want to celebrate in May, we need to be more clinical.
“We were breaking in three-on-one situations and not getting the final pass over three yards.”
“That needs to change. But, in all other ways, I am really pleased with the guys.”
City had a fantastic second-half chance to equalise after 66 minutes when replacement Anis Mehmeti sprinted onto a Tommy Conway ball, but Illan Meslier saved his low effort on the second attempt.
However, O’Leary made three superb stops to deny the lively Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Patrick Bamford.
The home team appeared off the pace at times, and head coach Liam Manning had no complaints.
He stated, “First and foremost, I must commend Leeds for being the best team we have faced, but tonight we fell short of our potential.
“I’m frustrated because I know we can do much better. The players appeared to stiffen up after making mistakes.
“We’ve played the finest teams, and Leeds were the best. I anticipate them to continue the promotion challenge.”
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