Leeds United vs Preston North End

Pre-Match Atmosphere

Just five games to go and the pressure was starting to ramp up on the top three teams, Leeds having just beaten Middlesborough 1-0, were now back in the driving seat, sitting pretty at the top of the table with 85 points along with Burnley, could Leeds carry this momentum through to the Preston game!

A beautiful sunny day bestowed the Chiltern Whites, who had yet another early start for their journey up the M1 motorway to Leeds, but the journey was worth it, with most of the Elland Road stadium drenched in sunshine for the 12:30 kick off.

A Quick Start

Leeds were off to a quick start, with Solomon dazzling the fans down the left, cutting in and curling a thunderbolt into the top right corner of the Preston's net with just 4 minutes on the clock, get in, 1-0 to the Whites. The fans were in a joyous mood and so was the team, but with a moments lack of concentration, Preston came charging back and conjured up a similar goal for themselves, through Kessler-Hayden, to level the score just a few moments later.

The mood was still buoyant in the ground and Leeds kept on probing the Preston's defence, with fine work from Bogle and Firpo on the wings. Solomon again was causing problem down the left and fired in a low cross into the Preston's box, that Bogle connected with, to make it 2-1 in the 13th minute. Leeds kept on the pressure with a close effort from Gnonto on the 28 minute, but as much as the forwards tried to get a third, it didn't arrive and the first half finished at 2-1 to Leeds.

Second Half - Chances Galore

Preston came out fighting for the second half and forced Karl Darlow into a fine save on the 55th minute, in fact, Darlow was having a great game, plucking out the ball from several crosses, which gave the Leeds fans so much to cheer about, and change how Preston would take their corner kicks, Darlow was that dominant!

A big moment for Piroe on the 55th Minute when his shot on goal hit the bar, it was great to see, Piroe getting more involved in the game, with so many of his chances just going wide of the goal, but chances created nonetheless. The fans sensed that they needed a change and started to sing Patrick Bamford's name. Daniel Farke obliged and brought on the number 9 on the 79th minute, switching out Aaronson for Bamford and Gnonto for Schmidt.

The crowd was urging Leeds to get a third and kill the game off, as tensions started to rise with the Leeds fanbase. Leeds could not find their 3rd goal but managed to hold on for the win. A vital three points taking us to the brink of promotion, with Sheffield going down 2-1 to Plymouth.

Post-Match Reflections and Implications for the Season

Four more games to play, with two of them over this Easter weekend, so closed but it's not done yet, but Leeds look like they have turned the corner having two wins on the spin, a great time to find some form again.

Final Score: Leeds United 2 - Preston North End 1

Attendance: 35,747

Chiltern Whites MOM: Bogle