Leeds United defeated Plymouth Argyle in a tense finish to a game that should have been over by halftime, as Daniel Farke relied on late substitutes to secure victory.
Leeds have won six of their last seven Championship games, cutting the gap to the top to eight points.
A home game against Plymouth Argyle presented another game that Leeds were expected to win, and the pressure was on Daniel Farke’s side to build on their previous victory over Leicester.
Leeds punished the away side’s poor work in building out from the back with two goals in the first half-hour, being ruthless in transition despite dominating the game overall.
Leeds had multiple chances to extend their lead in either half, and should have done so through Georginio Rutter, Piroe, and Willy Gnonto when he came on in the second half.
Plymouth re-entered the game after a long ball caught the left side of Leeds’ back four, as Luke Cundle whipped a brilliant cross to Ben Waine in the goalmouth.
Farke’s team had to defend with their backs to the wall late on, but they weathered the storm to earn another well-deserved three points, with subs assisting in the win.
Attacking midfielder Ian Poveda was an unused sub in the game, and he would have hoped for a late introduction to give Leeds something to look for in the final third to drive up the field.
He warmed up alongside the pair who came on, Ilia Gruev and Patrick Bamford, and the Yorkshire Evening Post has revealed something about the 23-year-old that Farke will undoubtedly appreciate:
“Ian Poveda, Patrick Bamford, and Ilia Gruev were summoned to allow the latter two to continue. Despite his likely disappointment at not being chosen, Poveda gave both of them huge pats on the back.”
That’s the kind of attitude we need, and it’s good to see Poveda still around this season.
He could have left in the summer knowing he wasn’t going to be a sure thing, but he’s proving he’s an important part of the team.
If he had stropped, it would have sent such a negative message to Farke, but instead we have someone who is a great option.
