Leeds United produced a momentous away performance to beat Manchester United 2-1. Noah Okafor’s brace proved decisive as Daniel Farke’s side just about held off their 10-man hosts to pull six points clear of the relegation zone with six games to play.
The Whites got off to a perfect start when Okafor reacted quickly to guide home a Jayden Bogle cross inside five minutes, not long after Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a glorious chance from close range. The same man made it 2-0 just before the half-hour mark with a deflected volley after a big spell of Leeds pressure, with multiple opportunities missed to extend the lead further before half-time.
Manchester United were reduced to 10 men before the hour mark after Lisandro Martinez was punished for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair, following a VAR review. The home side pulled one back not long after, however, with Casemiro free at the back post to head home a Bruno Fernandes cross.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Old Trafford to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
7. CM: Ao Tanaka
8 Somehow didn't score at the end of the first half but there were some really nice moments. Got stuck in too. Jumped forward to get a foot in when he could. | Getty Images
8. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
8 Helped create danger on the left. Had some awkward moments defensively but ran himself into the ground. | AFP via Getty Images
9. RW: Brenden Aaronson
8 Pressed and harried all night. Some tidy moments in possession. | AFP via Getty Images
10. LW: Noah Okafor
9 He wasn't perfect - there were a couple of moments where he lacked composure - but his finishing in the first half was superb. And he was electric on the counter. | Getty Images
11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
8 Wasteful in front of goal but worked himself into the ground and prevented an equaliser with a goal-line header. Survived a vicious tug on his man bun. | Getty Images
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12. Sub: Willy Gnonto
8 Wanted the ball, got at Man Utd and tried to make things happen. Coughed up possession a couple of times but wingers do when they try things. | Getty Images