Leeds lose third game in five as automatic promotion hopes hanging by thread

Leeds United were defeated in a close contest against West Bromwich Albion.

Leeds‘ chances of gaining automatic promotion from the Championship were dealt another blow as they were defeated 1-0 at the Hawthorns by West Brom.

Grady Diangana‘s 37th-minute goal was enough to give former Leeds boss Carlos Corberan back-to-back home victories and a second successive defeat to Daniel Farke‘s side, who have won just one of their previous five games and behind second-placed Ipswich by nine points.

And they showed little to suggest they could recover after Diangana’s sixth goal of the season, failing to put West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer under pressure.

They were arguably unlucky not to get a penalty in the 30th minute for Cedric Kipre‘s challenge on Wilfried Gnonto.

Leeds settled faster and had the ball in the net in the 16th minute when Sam Byram volleyed home Joel Piroe‘s cross, but the full-back was a yard offside.

With their first serious attempt, West Brom were denied the opening goal in the 23rd minute.

From Alex Mowatt‘s corner, Djed Spence blocked Kipre’s low volley off the line before Okay Yokuslu hoisted the loose ball over the bar.

Yokuslu then had to defend himself by blocking Gnonto’s shot at the other end.

Leeds were denied a penalty kick, with Italy forward Gnonto at the centre of the drama.

Ethan Ampadu chipped the ball forward, and Gnonto was on it in a flash, only to be grabbed about the waist by Kipre.

The 20-year-old collapsing as he prepared to shoot, but referee Graham Scott waved play on, much to the chagrin of the visiting fans, players, and coaches.

West Bromwich Albion, on the other hand, punished the visitors by grabbing the lead in the 37th minute.

Yokuslu split the defence to allow the Baggies captain, Jed Wallace, to pass the ball across goal, and while Diangana’s first shot was stopped by Joe Rodon, his second attempt sailed into the net.

West Brom began the second half brighter, but they were let down by a free kick when Rodon flicked a header high over the crossbar, with Palmer committing but failing to make touch.

After Spence’s cross was blocked, Leeds missed a half-chance as Gnonto ballooned a loose ball high and wide from 25 yards.

Spence’s replacement, Jaidon Anthony, had the chance to equalise seconds after coming on, but he couldn’t keep his effort up.

Yokuslu was again in the right defensive position when he nodded away Crysencio Summerville‘s curling shot.

When John Swift picked out the run of fellow replacement Adam Reach, whose attempted lob forced a diving save from Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, the Baggies came within a whisker of a second goal.

However, one goal was enough to maintain the hosts in fifth place, only three points below struggling Leeds.