The Leeds United captain was in fine form both and off the pitch
Leeds United showed why they will be no pushovers for the remainder of the season even after securing safety, during their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening.
The Whites showed character and steel to come from a goal down to get a point and had to stave off barrage of late pressure to keep hold of the result. The draw means Leeds move to 44 points with the possibility of reaching 50 still alive.
A number of players showcased their resilient characteristics in Monday’s trip to relegation-threatened Spurs, who were on a high after back-to-back wins. Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol fall into this category, as did captain Ethan Ampadu.
His contract expires in 2027 and there will be a real keenness for the club to tie him down for longer. He features heavily in a few unseen moments from last night.
Ampadu’s antics
Of course, it was Ampadu who won the penalty that saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin notch his 14th goal of the campaign. He was left with a nasty bruise on his head, leaving no-one in any doubt that contact had been made.
As he recieved treatment on the touchline, a few Spurs fans had some choice words to share. He was seen joking back with them. In fact, he was in the mood for a few exchanges with peers to.
At one stage, he delivered a volley of chatter at Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro after he smacked a free-kick well wide of the upright in the first half.
More funnily, after full time, Ampadu, with a wry smile, jovially interrupted Rodon’s chat with the media to point out the defender had stolen his foot sliders. The ‘No.4’ written on them ended any debate.
Spurs fans ask for feedback
In the press box, reporters are provided with a replay screen and this was used often amid the various incidents within the game. Spurs fans around the media tribune knew of this and were keen to get real-time feedback on two main incidents.
The first was the penalty shout on Ampadu, with fans turning towards journalists with pensive looks. One leaned over the top barricade and asked for an opinion. He was not sure Mathys Tel touched Ampadu and that there was no intent - more in hope than anything else. The reporter broke the news to him that he had made contact.
Later on, fans were baying for reporters to give them their thoughts on Lukas Nmecha’s challenge on James Maddison in added time, inside the Leeds box. Journalists relayed that Nmecha looked to have got a touch, prompting hands on heads and aghast looks before the decision was announced over the PA system.
Farke’s gestures
Daniel Farke was indeed on the touchline after shaking off illness to lead his side to the draw. He was in usual form, commanding his troops and also remonstrating with the fourth official if he felt the referee Jarred Gillet made a serious error.
Farke was furous at the officials when Karl Darlow got penalised for holding onto the ball for longer than eight seconds, along with his coaching staff members. They clearly felt it was a needless decision to blow up.
In the end, Pascal Struijk had to clear one from just in front of the goal-line with Darlow beaten by a shot. If it had gone in, that might just have seen the bench explode.
Later in the game, Farke was seen giving former Norwich City man James Maddison a quick embrace as he made his way onto the field for the first time since May last year, having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. At full-time, he went to give him a bear hug and spoke fondly of him, too.