The title race took another enormous turn on Monday night as Leeds United returned to the top two with a 4-3 win over Middlesbrough at The Riverside – as Luke Ayling and Sam Greenwood watched on.
The duo were banned from playing as they remain on loan at Boro from Leeds. They were in the stands as Boro took the lead through Isaiah Jones, but Crysencio Summerville pegged Boro back, from the spot.
Patrick Bamford scored against his old side to put Leeds 2-1 up. But the topsy-turvy nature of the game was not done there. Not long after, Boro equalised to make it 2-2 – before Willy Gnonto got his goal.
Pascal Struijk’s four-word verdict as Leeds beat Middlesbrough
In the second half, Summerville took his tally to 30 goals and assists for the season with a gorgeous curling effort. The game looked beyond doubt and Leeds were going to stroll to a first win in four games.
Emmanuel Latte Lath had other ideas, getting one back for Boro and setting up a nervy last few minutes- but Leeds held on to secure all three points – and return to second place in the Championship table.
A huge result, after Leicester had won on the weekend – but also, because Ipswich were not in action with Coventry playing in the FA Cup. Pascal Struijk responded with four words after watching Leeds get a win.
What Simon Grayson said as Leeds secure massive win last night
While it is a win and it does momentarily take Leeds back into the automatic spots, more importantly it gives us momentum going into the final two games. At this stage, momentum is absolutely crucial.
Whether that be to finish in the top two, or to enter the play-offs with a head of steam up. Two more games and you’d imagine that two more wins might do it. QPR away next at Loftus Road, on Friday night.
Grayson, who guided Leeds to promotion to the Championship from League One and managed us at this level for a number of years, responded to Leeds’ Instagram post on Monday with his verdict on the win.
