Daniel Farke’s side knew that even a draw would take them top of the Championship after Leicester City’s defeat at Friday night hosts Plymouth Argyle and that a victory would send them two points clear in the automatic promotion places ahead of Ipswich Town’s 3pm hosting of Middlesbrough.
Leeds, though, ultimately left with nothing as an 82nd-minute strike from the division’s top scorer Sammie Szmodics condemned United to a first home league loss of the season, dealing a huge blow to the team’s automatic promotion hopes.
The Whites have now taken just one point from their last three games and the defeat left them one point behind both second-placed Ipswich and leaders Leicester but having played a game more than both sides.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from an extremely disappointing afternoon at Elland Road.
13. Sam Byram (sub)
5 - A couple of nice moments going forward but got dragged inside and turned by Dolan for the goal, which left Szmodics with an acre of space in the right-back slot. Photo: Matt McNulty
14. Dan James (sub)
6 - Busied himself, got stuck in and got at Blackburn down the right flank. His pace caused problems. Photo: Jess Hornby
15. Mateo Joseph (sub)
6 - Brought energy and tried to bring physicality. Couple of composed moments on the ball but no chances came his way. Photo: Ed Sykes
16. Jaidon Anthony (sub)
N/A - On for a cameo of just a few minutes, couldn't do much more than win a corner. Photo: George Wood
17. James Bell (referee)
3 - Desperately weak when it came to time wasting. Added just a single minute in the first half. Took him to the final minutes to take action. Got a few things wrong for each team. Photo: Jess Hornby