Further Leeds United boost after Forest triumph as emerging new rivals suffer triple blow with big ban
The picture has got even better for Leeds United in the club’s quest for Premier League survival.
Leeds United have received another boost following Friday night’s victory against Nottingham Forest through rapidly emerging new rivals suffering a a fresh triple blow.
Friday’s huge 3-1 win against Forest took Leeds nine points clear of third-bottom West Ham and three points ahead of fourth-bottom Forest but also level on points with both Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, albeit having played a game more.
Tottenham, who have been sliding down the table of late, faced Manchester United in their game in hand in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Old Trafford and Thomas Frank’s side were dealt a triple blow in a further Leeds boost.
Key figure now faces four-game ban
With the score goalless, Spurs captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge and follow-through on Red Devils midfielder Casemiro that will now have the Spurs skipper looking at a four-match ban following his second dismissal of the season.
Things then got even worse for Spurs just nine minutes later as Bryan Mbeumo finished off a clever move from a Bruno Fernandes corner after a Kobbie Mainoo lay-off and his goal laid the platform for a 2-0 victory.
Spurs, already ravaged by injuries, were dealt yet another blow after the break as defender Destiny Udogie was forced off injured.
Frank’s side still offered a threat in stages but Manchester United bagged a second goal in the 81st minute through captain Bruno Fernandes who applied a smart finish to a Diogo Dalot cross.
Tottenham’s defeat has now left them level on points with Leeds on the same amount of games played, only ahead of Farke’s Whites on goal difference as an emerging new rival in the battle to stay up.