Leeds Live

The Tottenham manager's statement was both praise to Leeds United and a shielded message to West Ham

Leeds United might have kept Tottenham Hotspur biting their nails for now but Roberto De Zerbi is sure the Whites will have West Ham chewing their fingers on the final day of the season.

Leeds were second best during Monday’s game but the resilience that has carried them through this season saw them earn a point down in London, meaning Spurs have gone just two - and not four - points ahead of West Ham in 18th.

It is that sustained character which supporters of both relegation-threatened clubs have longed to see from their respective teams. Both the Hammers and more recently Spurs have had periods of good momentum where this has been present, but nowhere near often enough.

Leeds found their own robustness long ago and have more-or-less kept it up for six months now, barring a goalless three-fixture run in March. After this blip, though, they have recovered to go seven games unbeaten with three of these being wins.

And so United have picked up 13 points across this period, which is the sixth-best return in the league - pick up the same amount of points as title favourites Arsenal and just one fewer than challengers Manchester City.

The picture is even more appealing when the time period is condensed to the last five games. Leeds sit fourth in that form table with only Man City, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest (on the same points but with a better goal difference) above them.

Monday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham - which saw them go seven away games unbeaten - also means Leeds have tied the most away matches across the Premier League, with that being their ninth.

In the overall away table, Leeds sit 18th having won just two games on the road but of course this only means so much. Spurs sit fifth in that chart with West Ham in 16th. Both lie in the bottom four when it comes to home form, with Leeds in 11th.

The overarching point here is that Leeds are resilient and if they cannot win games are making sure they don’t lose them. Only Champions League-chasing Bournemouth, with 16, have more overall Premier League draws than Leeds’ 14.

And that is why Tottenham boss De Zerbi quipped a warning to West Ham post-match. He said: "We can't forget their last [Premier League] defeat was March 3 at home. And West Ham has to play with Leeds.

“I think Leeds will play like today with the same spirit, the same qualities. They are doing a great season."

The final-day warning for West Ham comes in several folds, beyond the form table. Leeds take confidence from their quarter-final win in the FA Cup, even if it was on penalties.

Since that game they have shown a lot of maturity. They survived a late barrage to hold on to a 2-1 win at Manchester United, the first victory at Old Trafford in the league for 45 years. They held Wolves at bay at 2-0 up to eventually win 3-0 and keep a clean sheet.

They showed courage to steal a last-gasp point down at Bournemouth. And after a 3-1 triumph over Burnley, Leeds once again withstood late pressure to secure a draw at Spurs. This team is indeed resilient.

And as Joe Rodon said after full time, “we don’t roll over for no-one”. Leeds still have personal pride and funds to play for, and the battling display at Spurs when safety was already secured shows United will try and spoil the party at the London Stadium too.

Form, safety and confidence is on their side. De Zerbi’s warning to West Ham might have been cheeky and covert but it nevertheless rings true.

The Tottenham Hotspur player has taken to social media to hit out at the decision

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has suggested that referee Jarred Gillet was ‘petrified’ of awarding a penalty to Spurs during stoppage time of Monday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

The playmaker, who was making his first appearance since May last year after suffering a cruciate ligament injury, has claimed Lukas Nmecha did not get the ball at any stage, despite VAR ruling that his tackle did not warrant a penalty.

Replays showed a deviation of the ball in the last phase of the tackle motion, which appeared as though it came from Nmecha’s foot. But Maddison is adamant that it was him who nicked the ball, and took to social media to state his view.

He wrote on Instagram: "For clarity… The small, tiny touch on the ball to change direction came from the outside of my right foot, not Nmecha, and I told the ref that.

"But the check was over in about 20 seconds. Officials are petrified to make decisions on pitch now because of VAR. We keep fighting. COYS."

After the match, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi - who received a yellow card during the match for protestations - stated he felt the officials should have “been more calm”, albeit refrained from commenting on the penalty incident itself.

The 1-1 result keeps Spurs firmly in the relegation fight, sitting two points ahead of West Ham United with two games to play. Leeds - who themselves earned a penalty for the equaliser when Mathys Tel’s boot connected with Ethan Ampadu’s head - were mathematically safe going into the match.

West Ham’s dramatic defeat to Arsenal on Sunday means the Whites are an unassailable eight points ahead of 18th place, with the final home game against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend ahead of the final day clash at the Hammers.

The defender had a goal when he first joined Leeds United in 2023

Joe Rodon says Leeds United have enjoyed an "unbelievable" two years and is pleased with how his season has gone on a personal level.

Speaking to LeedsLive last summer, ahead of the season, Rodon said he felt he had a point to prove having been unable to earn regular Premier League minutes at former club Tottenham Hotspur.

Monday night saw him help Leeds secure a 1-1 draw at former club Spurs with United’s safety already sealed, unlike that of the hosts. Being able to reflect on his season now Leeds are officially staying up, Rodon identifies what he has - and has not - liked about his personal campaign.

“I think there’s obviously a little bit of frustration with the slight setbacks, with my ankle, but I think I’ve been stable, I've enjoyed it a lot,” he told reporters. “Obviously, we have changed system, played completely different positions, but I think that's something that I can, and I have, added to my game.

“I can play anywhere comfortably at any moment, whatever it takes to do for the team. Everyone who's come in [to the side] has done their roles, and we have a great group.”

On survival itself, Rodon added: “I’ve been here for three years now. I think when I came to this club, that this is what I wanted to do. This is what we set out to do.

“You know, obviously, the first year we failed but the last two years have been unbelievable, and this is the direction everyone wants to go as a club.

“We want to push up the table in these last few games, because in the group, everyone's worked so hard to be in this position, so there's no reason to stop."

Despite being safe, Leeds showed real resilience against Spurs, coming back from a goal down to earn their 44th point of the season having managed to keep Tottenham from getting a winner amid a late barrage.

“This group is really competitive,’ Rodon explained. “We're professionals and I think, as you've seen, we don’t roll over for no one. What goes on the training ground, the manager always keeps it competitive.

“We're all professionals, we want to win. We go into every game wanting to win, and that's the main thing that has to be mindset.”

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.

Find out how Leeds United's players rated against Tottenham Hotspur in tonight's Premier League clash

Leeds United came from a goal down to draw 1-1 away at a Tottenham Hotspur side fighting for its life to stay in the Premier League, just 24 hours on from their own safety being confirmed.

The first half saw Spurs with the greater efforts on goal, with Leeds needing to make important blocks numerous times. Pascal Struijk had to clear one off the line at one stage with Mathys Tel meanwhile running Daniel James ragged at right wing-back.

It was Tel who struck first blood on 51 minutes, when Jaka Bijol's headed clearance from a corner led to him cutting inside to unleash a sumptuous curling effort past Karl Darlow's glove.

However, he became hero-turned-culprit when he gave away the penalty when making contact with Ethan Ampadu upon trying to clear the ball over his head. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up to hammer home his 14th goal of the season in the 74th-minute.

Despite sustained Spurs pressure in the final 13 minutes, it was Sean Longstaff who forced Antonin Kinsky into late save onto the bar. Lukas Nmecha had a late penalty appeal against him dismissed and Leeds just about clung on. Here are the ratings.

Karl Darlow - Some shaky bits with the ball at feet and got penalised for holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds in the first half. Punched several balls clear. 6

Daniel James - Was targeted with long balls over the top playing as the short-heighted right wing-back. Struggled against Mathys Tel, with his positioning not precise enough, albeit understandably. Saw a shot go well over in the second half. 5

Joe Rodon - Was denied a goal from Antonin Kinsky's fantastic low save on 22 minutes. Defended astutely against his former club, using his strength very well and cleverly. 8

Jaka Bijol - Won so many headers and made many vital interventions. Also produced some fine passes. Always there with the important contact. Great display. 9

Pascal Strujik - Cleared one away from the line with Darlow beaten in the first half. Was fairly decent, though had to track back a lot. One them saw him take a whack to the leg, which may have contributed to him going off 10 minutes after the break. 7

James Justin - Shook off a bloody nose sustained early on. Was stable and reliable, without doing anything too risky. Put in some important challenges towards the end. Great ball into Sean Longstaff, who almost scored. Super block towards the end. 8

Ethan Ampadu - Showed superb football intelligence to cover back and spark the transition forwards. Rallied the team with actions as well as words. Won the penalty. 9

Ao Tanaka - Did lose a few duels, but also won a few too - just not the majority. A bit too weak at times, turning his back in the box at one point. Loose balls, most of his successful ones being safe options. Found his rhythm better towards the end of the game, including one great tackle. 6

Anton Stach - Was in the wars a bit with a few whacks. Struggled to implement himself fully but kept running and putting himself about. 6

Brenden Aaronson - Got in between the angles. Lost the ball at times but also produces some neat touches to dig himself out of being cornered. 6

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Often frustrated, either his knock-downs not met or he gave a loose ball. Couldn't make much stick, or work. But stuck his penalty away expertly for his 14th goal of the season. 6

SUBS

Sebastiaan Bornauw (55' for Struijk) - Played a few hospital balls on occasion but did what he needed to. Weathered the late barrage. 7

Sean Longstaff (90+3' for Tanaka) - Almost got a late winner, forcing Kinsky into a crucial, crucial save inside the area. 6

Wilfried Gnonto (63' for James) - Some wayward passes. Looked to make things happen, though. 7

Lukas Nmecha (63' for Aaronson) - Won a few set-pieces by drawing fouls. Like Gnonto, took game to the defence. Used his body well at both ends, too. 8

MANAGER: Daniel Farke - With Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson injured, he was forced to play James at right wing back and it didn't work. Leeds had no real clear attacking game plan and Spurs were able to find holes for the best part of an hour. However, subs Gnonto and Nmecha did make an impact when they came on, adding more impetus, so credit to Farke for that. Leeds unbeaten in seven away games. 7

Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Leeds United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United XI to take on Tottenham Hotspur this evening

Daniel Farke has reacted to Noah Okafor's injury absence by bringing Daniel James back into the Leeds United line-up for tonight's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Okafor has been ruled out for two games with a calf injury, this evening's game and the final home match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. As a result, Brenden Aaronson - initially benched for the 3-1 win over Burnley - comes in to play just behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

The American will support the 13-goal striker alongside Anton Stach, who netted the opener against Burnley. Behind them in midfield sees Ao Tanaka partner captain Ethan Ampadu for a fifth straight Premier League match.

FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page

With Gabriel Gudmundsson still out with his hamstring setback, James Justin continues at left wing-back and it appears James has come in on the right for Jayden Bogle - out of the squad with a hamstring issue - on the other flank.

Pascal Struijk had been a doubt for this game with a hip issue, missing a training session on Thursday. However, he has passed the fitness mark and starts in the back three alongside Jaka Bijol with Joe Rodon on the right of the trio.

They will guard Karl Darlow, who won April's save of the month for his point-blank save from Ladislav Krejci in the 3-0 win over Wolves.

In the matchday squad for the first time is academy left-back Jayden Lienou, while fellow youth star Rhys Chadwick joins him. January loanee Facundo Buonanotte fails to get a place on the bench also due to a hamstring injury.

XI: Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; James, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Stach, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Byram, Lienou, Bornauw, Longstaff, Chadwick, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.

Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Leeds United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don't miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

Daniel Farke was ill last week and had to pull out of the pre-match press conference, with assitant Edmund Riemer facing the questions.

The boss will be on the touchline tonight, though. It was a chance he could have made the press meeting, but alas.

What impact his absence has had on preparations may have been seen today - but the securing of safety shines a new light on proceedings, naturally.

No Bogle in the squad due to hamstring issue - which is also why Buonanotte is also out.

We think it might be Dan James at right-wing back in the usual 3-4-2-1 formation. Youngster Rhys Chadwick also makes the bench.

Read on.

Okafor is the most in-form attacker Leeds have at the moment, having scored six times in his last seven Premier League appearances.

Since the start of February, he has also bagged three assists across all competitions.

His absence means Brenden Aaronson will come back on the left of the two behind the 13-goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Leeds try to expose the space behind Pedro Porro, who is expected to be encouraged to attack amid Tottenham’s need for three points.

Read the predicted team here.

Noah Okafor is out of the next two games with a calf injury, including next week's final home game against Brighton.

Gabriel Gudmundsson is also out with the hamstring injury he suffered at Wembley. He should be back next week.

Pascal Struijk was a doubt with a hip issue but is expected to make the cut for today.

Leeds reached 43 points with their 3-1 win over Burnley 10 days ago, a tally with which no team has been relegated during the 20-team Premier League era.

Survival was, naturally, the club’s main aim this season despite the noble run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

The 49ers invested more than £100m on 10 new signings in the summer, having maxed out spending limits.

Daniel Farke was on shaky ground in November but the board chose not to dismiss him ahead of the trip to Manchester City and his half-time ingenuity to switch to a back-three formation was ultimately the catalyst of revival form, confidence and results.

Read the full analysis here.

With three games to spare, too. The goal this season was always survival and Leeds United have competently clasped it with both hands.

Of course, West Ham's defeat is what sealed the deal, but that underlined the incredible position the club had put itself in. Remember, the last six promoted clubs went straight back down.

The 49ers' goal was to make Leeds an established Premier League club and the past two years have marked key and imperative milestones. Next season, the consolidation project can begin.

But for now, Leeds can play with the shackles off. They deserve this. And they can play a huge role in who goes down too, with Tottenham to play today and West Ham on the final day.

Whether at the London Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Leeds could finally reach their primary goal this weekend

Leeds United could be safe from relegation before they kick another ball. In many ways their most important match this weekend is not their own against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

Should West Ham United lose to Arsenal later today then the Whites cannot be caught by the 18th-place Hammers. Even a draw would not be sufficient in reality given Leeds - who currently sit seven points ahead - boast a greater goal difference of 14.

Daniel Farke does not mind his players keeping track of how rivals do and it would seem odd if any Leeds squad member was not sat watching what goes on at the London Stadium later today. Farke himself might not be with them as he recovers from illness but an Arsenal win would make him feel a lot better.

In his absence, assistant coach Edmund Riemer took on pre-match press conference duty and explained survival would be a “massive” achievement given the fate of the last six promoted clubs and the intensity of this year’s relegation battle.

“If you see our previous seasons, it seems like every season has to be a special season to achieve what we want to achieve,” he said, in reference to last season's final-day Championship title win that saw Leeds reach a club record 100 points.

“Usually you talk about one point per game - now you feel like it might not be enough. We have now achieved 43 points. It's truly something special, especially if you see what the promoted teams did the last few years.”

Riemer says Farke and his staff are aware that Roberto De Zerbi has had “an impact on the players” at Spurs, giving them so much renewed confidence that they now look "a different Tottenham team”.

Back-to-back wins have seen the club climb out of the relegation zone with supporters now galvanised behind the players rather than on their backs. Riemer said he expects a "really heated" game as a result.

Leeds will have to cope with the in-form Noah Okafor, who has sustained a calf injury after scoring six goals in seven Premier League games, and reliable left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.

However, this team has shown it has the ability to deal with key absences this season and they remain unbeaten in six away games having lost just once on the road since November.

Nevertheless, the mood going into the contest will depend on what has happened the day prior. “We prepare in the best possible way,” said Riemer, who tried to play down this dynamic.

“Of course, we take it however it comes, but we want to be ready, whatever happens. We don't want to be surprised. Now we need to refocus, so the focus will be there. We will travel, and then we'll be ready to play.”

Farke is expected to be back from illness and on the touchline on Monday. Should Leeds get over the line, regardless of how, it will have marked an astonishing turnaround, having appeared to be on the brink of losing his job in November.

He will have also shaken off the relegation cloud that, rightly or wrongly, hung over him from his time at Norwich City, and that reportedly prompted owners the 49ers to consider a summer managerial swap.

At the end of the Burney game, fans were heard chanting his name with loud abandon. “I was very pleased for him,” said Riemer on this.

“Because he also gets a lot of stick if it doesn't go our way - most of the time, I feel it’s undeserved. So I'm very pleased because he deserves it [fan praise], and has done a brilliant job so far.”

The pundits are giving West Ham no chance against Arsenal, which would ensure Leeds stay up

It's a big weekend in the Premier League with what happens between now and Monday evening potentially finally settling the issue of relegation for Leeds United.

Daniel Farke and his players will be confident they've already done enough and they know that a win at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday will rubber stamp that and ensure they are back in the top flight next season. That fact could come sooner, though.

An expected Arsenal win at West Ham on Sunday afternoon will ensure Leeds cannot be relegated this season and the celebrations can start early before the trip to the capital.

Leeds are not being tipped to win at a resurgent Tottenham, but the good news is, West Ham's chances of a shock victory have also been written off. Here's what some of the pundits are saying on the two games.

Alan Shearer, speaking to Betfair

West Ham v Arsenal

I think West Ham were really poor defensively at Brentford last weekend. They gave too many chances away, too many goals. I think Arsenal will win this weekend having that belief and confidence that they've got at the club now, knowing that it's such a tough game, but I'm just going to edge on the side of Arsenal taking the three points, which would put West Ham in a difficult position in terms of relegation. Prediction – Arsenal win

Tottenham v Leeds

Leeds are going to play a huge part in who gets relegated, because they play both Spurs and West Ham. It’s fascinating, but I think with what I saw from Spurs last week, they may just have enough now to stay up. And I guess with the energy that they showed the other day, I think they'll have enough to beat Leeds at home. Spurs to win.

Roberto De Zerbi has got a shift out of those players, and you didn't see any of that six or seven weeks ago. It looks a brilliant move now to bring De Zerbi in when they did, that's the reason why they did it then it was to get something different out of the players that they had not been showing, and it looks as if he's getting that difference now which they've not had for large parts of this season, or for any of the season. Prediction – Tottenham win

Harry Redknapp, speaking to BetVictor

West Ham v Arsenal

A massive, massive game for both. For the Hammers, that poor result at Brentford piles the pressure on here. It almost feels like a must-win, particularly with Spurs having picked up under De Zerbi.

I think this will be Arsenal’s last big test. Win this, and that could well be that in terms of the title. It’s shaping up to be an incredible end to the season for them. This is bound to be nervy and bound to be dramatic. Prediction – I have to favour Arsenal, 2-1.

Tottenham v Leeds

All of a sudden, a win here and Spurs will be in a really good position in terms of safety. De Zerbi deserves credit for injecting a bit of belief into these players. They can’t get complacent though, particularly if West Ham get a good result against Arsenal.

That’s Leeds all but safe now and Farke deserves lots of credit. I know a lot of people expected them to struggle this season and they didn’t make the best of starts. Leeds have nothing to lose so they’ll go out to try and win this. Still, those Spurs fans will be buoyant and that could be the difference. Prediction – Tottenham win 2-0.

Chris Sutton, speaking to BBC Sport

West Ham v Arsenal

Arsenal look like a totally different proposition on the attacking front now Bukayo Saka is back in the team.

It is going to be hard for West Ham to keep them out, and it doesn't help the Hammers that they desperately need a victory here after losing last weekend while all the teams around them won.

A draw wouldn't be a disaster for West Ham if you took this game in isolation but, depending on what Tottenham do against Leeds on Monday night, even if they pick up a point they could end up further adrift.

Arsenal have had big wins at London Stadium in each of the past two seasons. I don't see them sticking five or six in again this time, but I also don't see them slipping up. Prediction : Arsenal win 3-1.

Tottenham v Leeds

Leeds are all but safe now and they could be absolutely sure of staying up by the time they play this game. That scenario would definitely suit Spurs, but I am going to back Roberto de Zerbi's side here regardless.

What a performance that was by them at Villa last week. People have criticised Villa, but that display and result felt enormous for Tottenham.

It took them out of the bottom three and meant Spurs, at last, have got a bit of momentum after winning two league games in a row for the first time since August.

I am expecting more of the same here, so I am going to say they will make it three wins on the spin with the same scoreline that saw them win at Elland Road in October. Prediction – Tottenham win 2-1.