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Leeds took a huge step towards Premier League survival by beating Manchester United 2-1 in a thrilling game as Michael Carrick suffered his first home defeat in charge.
Noah Okafor scored twice in the first half to send Leeds on their way to a first league win at Old Trafford since 1981 and Manchester United’s problems worsened after the break when Lisandro Martinez was given a red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
Casemiro’s header gave the 10 men hope of a stirring comeback and Leeds lived dangerously in the closing stages. Karl Darlow saving well from Benjamin Sesko. Calvert-Lewin clearing Casemiro’s header off the line. But Daniel Farke’s side managed to hold on.
Carrick’s men missed the chance to tighten their grip on third spot but the night belonged to Leeds. The win moves them six points clear of Tottenham with six games left. With Wolves and Burnley still to visit Elland Road, they are closing in on survival.
Noah Okafor stunned Manchester United to double Leeds United’s lead
How Leeds caused Old Trafford upset
Fresh from securing their spot in an FA Cup semi-final last weekend, Leeds played like a team fighting to stay in the Premier League from the outset with Okafor and Calvert-Lewin, in particular, proving too hot to handle for the Manchester United defenders.
Calvert-Lewin was denied by Senne Lammens even before Okafor calmly converted Jayden Bogle’s cross for the opener and the same player then lashed in a deflected volley to give Daniel Farke’s side a deserved second in front of the Stretford End.
Carrick’s team had not played for 24 days prior to this and were fortunate not to let in a third before the break, the returning Martinez pulling off a desperate challenge near the line to keep out Ao Tanaka with Lammens beaten. Leeds were rampant at that stage.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off after a VAR review for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Sesko, in a rare start, did go close to pulling one back in the second half, Justin clearing off the line, but Martinez’s red card made the task more difficult. It took a VAR review to spot him pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair but there was no escape. A needless mistake.
Manchester United actually looked better with 10 men, Bruno Fernandes’ assist setting up a grandstand finish. But somehow, with nerves jangling and the crowd up, Leeds secured the win. And the neutrals can look forward to seeing this fixture again next season.
More to follow…
Story of the match in stats…
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