Category Sports News

Boss Daniel Farke has said he is “100% convinced” that Leeds United will play in the Premier League next season, despite missing the chance to go back to the top of the Championship.

Zan Vipotnik’s 96th-minute equaliser earned Swansea City a point from a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, leaving Leeds two points behind Sheffield United, who took over as leaders after beating Coventry 3-1 on Friday.

Leeds were five points clear of the Blades after winning at Bramall Lane late last month.

But after collecting only six points in five games since, Farke’s side now find themselves second, only ahead of third-placed Burnley on goal difference.

“We have gone many, many steps and right now it’s the final step. That’s always the most difficult”, he said.

“There’s never a guarantee of success but we have been in this situation before.

” I know how tricky it sometimes is to lead from the front but also what is necessary to bring it over the line and we will try everything to make sure the lads have the best chance to make the final step.

Last season, Leeds saw their automatic promotion hopes derailed by a run of only one win from their final six league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at QPR, which allowed Ipswich to claim second place alongside champions Leicester.

And they suffered further disappointment in the play-offs, losing to Southampton at Wembley in the final.

However, Farke has insisted that last season has no bearing on their chances this time.

“It’s a different group and a different scenario”, he said. “Last season we were not in the situation of leading from the front, or had a point gap to the others or the others had to chase.

Leeds had the perfect start against Swansea, with Brenden Aaronson giving them a first-minute lead before Illan Meslier saved a Josh Tymon penalty.

Keeper Meslier then dropped the ball to gift Harry Darling an equaliser only for Willy Gnonto to seemingly win it for Leeds.

However, Vipotnik fired home deep into stoppage time to silence Elland Road – in stark contrast to the joy the Leeds fans felt following late comeback wins against Sunderland and Sheffield United last month.

” If you want to take part in sports, you can’t expect the sun to be always shining, “Farke told BBC Radio Leeds”. Sometimes you are on the wrong end over the course of a long season.

“We have had great winners at the last moment of the game when the opponent felt the disappointment and had to suffer like we did today.

Keeper Meslier has come in for criticism this season following a series of high-profile errors and was at fault for Swansea’s first equaliser.

However, Farke refused to criticise his keeper and admitted his team was flat after the international break.

” It was obvious to see what happened today, “he said”. It was a typical first game after an international break, it was a scruffy game. We weren’t at our best.

“The team was more or less not together for two weeks, we just had one training session.

” We spoke at half-time about shaking off the rustiness of the international break and we were much better in the second half.

“We reacted fantastically to their]first] equaliser. We found the next gear and the substitutions made an impact.

Boss Daniel Farke has said he is “100% convinced” that Leeds United will play in the Premier League next season, despite missing the chance to go back to the top of the Championship.

Zan Vipotnik’s 96th-minute equaliser earned Swansea City a point from a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, leaving Leeds two points behind Sheffield United, who took over as leaders after beating Coventry 3-1 on Friday.

Leeds were five points clear of the Blades after winning at Bramall Lane late last month.

But after collecting only six points in five games since, Farke’s side now find themselves second, only ahead of third-placed Burnley on goal difference.

“We have gone many, many steps and right now it’s the final step. That’s always the most difficult”, he said.

“There’s never a guarantee of success but we have been in this situation before.

” I know how tricky it sometimes is to lead from the front but also what is necessary to bring it over the line and we will try everything to make sure the lads have the best chance to make the final step.

Last season, Leeds saw their automatic promotion hopes derailed by a run of only one win from their final six league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at QPR, which allowed Ipswich to claim second place alongside champions Leicester.

And they suffered further disappointment in the play-offs, losing to Southampton at Wembley in the final.

However, Farke has insisted that last season has no bearing on their chances this time.

“It’s a different group and a different scenario”, he said. “Last season we were not in the situation of leading from the front, or had a point gap to the others or the others had to chase.

Leeds had the perfect start against Swansea, with Brenden Aaronson giving them a first-minute lead before Illan Meslier saved a Josh Tymon penalty.

Keeper Meslier then dropped the ball to gift Harry Darling an equaliser only for Willy Gnonto to seemingly win it for Leeds.

However, Vipotnik fired home deep into stoppage time to silence Elland Road – in stark contrast to the joy the Leeds fans felt following late comeback wins against Sunderland and Sheffield United last month.

” If you want to take part in sports, you can’t expect the sun to be always shining, “Farke told BBC Radio Leeds”. Sometimes you are on the wrong end over the course of a long season.

“We have had great winners at the last moment of the game when the opponent felt the disappointment and had to suffer like we did today.

Keeper Meslier has come in for criticism this season following a series of high-profile errors and was at fault for Swansea’s first equaliser.

However, Farke refused to criticise his keeper and admitted his team was flat after the international break.

” It was obvious to see what happened today, “he said”. It was a typical first game after an international break, it was a scruffy game. We weren’t at our best.

“The team was more or less not together for two weeks, we just had one training session.

” We spoke at half-time about shaking off the rustiness of the international break and we were much better in the second half.

“We reacted fantastically to their]first] equaliser. We found the next gear and the substitutions made an impact.

Boss Daniel Farke has said he is “100% convinced” that Leeds United will play in the Premier League next season, despite missing the chance to go back to the top of the Championship.

Zan Vipotnik’s 96th-minute equaliser earned Swansea City a point from a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, leaving Leeds two points behind Sheffield United, who took over as leaders after beating Coventry 3-1 on Friday.

Leeds were five points clear of the Blades after winning at Bramall Lane late last month.

But after collecting only six points in five games since, Farke’s side now find themselves second, only ahead of third-placed Burnley on goal difference.

“We have gone many, many steps and right now it’s the final step. That’s always the most difficult”, he said.

“There’s never a guarantee of success but we have been in this situation before.

” I know how tricky it sometimes is to lead from the front but also what is necessary to bring it over the line and we will try everything to make sure the lads have the best chance to make the final step.

Last season, Leeds saw their automatic promotion hopes derailed by a run of only one win from their final six league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at QPR, which allowed Ipswich to claim second place alongside champions Leicester.

And they suffered further disappointment in the play-offs, losing to Southampton at Wembley in the final.

However, Farke has insisted that last season has no bearing on their chances this time.

“It’s a different group and a different scenario”, he said. “Last season we were not in the situation of leading from the front, or had a point gap to the others or the others had to chase.

Leeds had the perfect start against Swansea, with Brenden Aaronson giving them a first-minute lead before Illan Meslier saved a Josh Tymon penalty.

Keeper Meslier then dropped the ball to gift Harry Darling an equaliser only for Willy Gnonto to seemingly win it for Leeds.

However, Vipotnik fired home deep into stoppage time to silence Elland Road – in stark contrast to the joy the Leeds fans felt following late comeback wins against Sunderland and Sheffield United last month.

” If you want to take part in sports, you can’t expect the sun to be always shining, “Farke told BBC Radio Leeds”. Sometimes you are on the wrong end over the course of a long season.

“We have had great winners at the last moment of the game when the opponent felt the disappointment and had to suffer like we did today.

Keeper Meslier has come in for criticism this season following a series of high-profile errors and was at fault for Swansea’s first equaliser.

However, Farke refused to criticise his keeper and admitted his team was flat after the international break.

” It was obvious to see what happened today, “he said”. It was a typical first game after an international break, it was a scruffy game. We weren’t at our best.

“The team was more or less not together for two weeks, we just had one training session.

” We spoke at half-time about shaking off the rustiness of the international break and we were much better in the second half.

“We reacted fantastically to their]first] equaliser. We found the next gear and the substitutions made an impact.

Boss Daniel Farke has said he is “100% convinced” that Leeds United will play in the Premier League next season, despite missing the chance to go back to the top of the Championship.

Zan Vipotnik’s 96th-minute equaliser earned Swansea City a point from a 2-2 draw at Elland Road, leaving Leeds two points behind Sheffield United, who took over as leaders after beating Coventry 3-1 on Friday.

Leeds were five points clear of the Blades after winning at Bramall Lane late last month.

But after collecting only six points in five games since, Farke’s side now find themselves second, only ahead of third-placed Burnley on goal difference.

“We have gone many, many steps and right now it’s the final step. That’s always the most difficult”, he said.

“There’s never a guarantee of success but we have been in this situation before.

” I know how tricky it sometimes is to lead from the front but also what is necessary to bring it over the line and we will try everything to make sure the lads have the best chance to make the final step.

Last season, Leeds saw their automatic promotion hopes derailed by a run of only one win from their final six league games, including a 4-0 thrashing at QPR, which allowed Ipswich to claim second place alongside champions Leicester.

And they suffered further disappointment in the play-offs, losing to Southampton at Wembley in the final.

However, Farke has insisted that last season has no bearing on their chances this time.

“It’s a different group and a different scenario”, he said. “Last season we were not in the situation of leading from the front, or had a point gap to the others or the others had to chase.

Leeds had the perfect start against Swansea, with Brenden Aaronson giving them a first-minute lead before Illan Meslier saved a Josh Tymon penalty.

Keeper Meslier then dropped the ball to gift Harry Darling an equaliser only for Willy Gnonto to seemingly win it for Leeds.

However, Vipotnik fired home deep into stoppage time to silence Elland Road – in stark contrast to the joy the Leeds fans felt following late comeback wins against Sunderland and Sheffield United last month.

” If you want to take part in sports, you can’t expect the sun to be always shining, “Farke told BBC Radio Leeds”. Sometimes you are on the wrong end over the course of a long season.

“We have had great winners at the last moment of the game when the opponent felt the disappointment and had to suffer like we did today.

Keeper Meslier has come in for criticism this season following a series of high-profile errors and was at fault for Swansea’s first equaliser.

However, Farke refused to criticise his keeper and admitted his team was flat after the international break.

” It was obvious to see what happened today, “he said”. It was a typical first game after an international break, it was a scruffy game. We weren’t at our best.

“The team was more or less not together for two weeks, we just had one training session.

” We spoke at half-time about shaking off the rustiness of the international break and we were much better in the second half.

“We reacted fantastically to their]first] equaliser. We found the next gear and the substitutions made an impact.

Betfred Super League

Catalans (10) 13

Tries: Tomkins 2 Goals: Tomkins 2 Drop-goal: Keary

St Helens (12) 14

Jonny Lomax kicked a late drop-goal as St Helens edged past Catalans Dragons 14-13 in a Super League thriller in Perpignan.

Tristan Sailor’s quickfire double put Saints up early before Les Dracs roared back as Sam Tomkins replied with two tries of his own to cut the deficit to two points.

The 36-year-old kicked a penalty to level the scores at 12-12 to set up a nervy finale before Lomax and Luke Keary traded late drop-goals.

But, with the tension mounting and errors creeping in for both sides, Lomax kept his cool to slot over the winning drop-goal with two minutes left to seal Saints ‘ first win in France since 2018.

Saints lost 19-year-old centre Harry Robertson inside three minutes after failing an HIA, but full-back Jack Welsby, on his 150th appearance, propelled them into an early 12-0 lead.

His first break and short inside pass gave Sailor a clear sprint to the line, and his second tore deep into Catalans territory before a quick play took him under the posts for his second try in three minutes. Mark Percival converted both.

Much of the pre-match talk centred on Tommy Makinson taking on his former side for the first time, and the full-back had a say on the pitch when his chip ahead held up in the gusting wind and bounced kindly for Tomkins to touch down.

Bayley Sironen was held up over the line before a Nick Cotric foot in touch denied Keary a score as Catalans pressed in a breathless opening half-hour.

Catalans enjoyed a let-off moments into the second half when Sailor was judged marginally offside before collecting a high, hanging Lomax kick to send Dayon Sambou over the line.

Paul Wellens ‘ side hung tough in defence, as Cotric was hauled down 10 metres short, and Keary went even closer with an angled run and stretch.

But the pressure told when Saints were caught offside in front of their own posts and Tomkins tied up the scores.

Soon after, Catalans thought they had hit the front for the first time, but Sironen’s touchdown was ruled out when Tevita Pangai Junior was deemed to have been tackled in the build-up.

The French side looked destined to wear down their opponents, but the Saints held their nerve and finished strongly.

Tomkins denied Saints a third score with eight minutes left when he got back to prevent Mark Percival collecting his chip through, but seconds later Lomax nudged the visitors back in front.

Catalans head coach Steve McNamara:

“I thought it was a great contest and both teams played extremely well in the conditions, it’s very difficult for people to understand how tough that was to play.

” Both teams had a game plan, then looked at the weather and scrapped it but having said that I thought we played really well in attack for the majority of the game and defended well.

“For those two St Helens tries, I thought Jack Welsby was outstanding on both sets and it’s cost us dearly. Coming back from that point took a lot of energy but it was one of those games of fine margins and Saints just pipped us to the posts.

” I don’t think we’ve had a game this season in decent weather and it’s tested us again tonight but credit to Saints, Jack Welsby was outstanding for those couple of try plays and Lomax’s kicking the drop goals was the difference. “

St Helens boss Paul Wellens:

” It’s almost impossible to prepare for those windy conditions, you can’t replicate 60mph winds in training… you just have to be alert to things.

“You saw how many last plays bounced and it became a competition for the ball, some went our way and some went theirs.

” For Jonny to land two drop goals in those conditions is outstanding.

“It’s great that we won a tight game against top opposition and we’re going to need to do that again moving forward.

Interchanges: Romano, Satae, Seguier, Maria.

St Helens: Welsby, Bennison, Robertson, Percival, Sambou, Sailor, Lomax (c), Walmsley, Whitley, Batchelor, Knowles.

Interchanges: Clark, Paasi, Wingfield, Delaney.

Betfred Super League

Catalans (10) 13

Tries: Tomkins 2 Goals: Tomkins 2 Drop-goal: Keary

St Helens (12) 14

Jonny Lomax kicked a late drop-goal as St Helens edged past Catalans Dragons 14-13 in a Super League thriller in Perpignan.

Tristan Sailor’s quickfire double put Saints up early before Les Dracs roared back as Sam Tomkins replied with two tries of his own to cut the deficit to two points.

The 36-year-old kicked a penalty to level the scores at 12-12 to set up a nervy finale before Lomax and Luke Keary traded late drop-goals.

But, with the tension mounting and errors creeping in for both sides, Lomax kept his cool to slot over the winning drop-goal with two minutes left to seal Saints ‘ first win in France since 2018.

Saints lost 19-year-old centre Harry Robertson inside three minutes after failing an HIA, but full-back Jack Welsby, on his 150th appearance, propelled them into an early 12-0 lead.

His first break and short inside pass gave Sailor a clear sprint to the line, and his second tore deep into Catalans territory before a quick play took him under the posts for his second try in three minutes. Mark Percival converted both.

Much of the pre-match talk centred on Tommy Makinson taking on his former side for the first time, and the full-back had a say on the pitch when his chip ahead held up in the gusting wind and bounced kindly for Tomkins to touch down.

Bayley Sironen was held up over the line before a Nick Cotric foot in touch denied Keary a score as Catalans pressed in a breathless opening half-hour.

Catalans enjoyed a let-off moments into the second half when Sailor was judged marginally offside before collecting a high, hanging Lomax kick to send Dayon Sambou over the line.

Paul Wellens ‘ side hung tough in defence, as Cotric was hauled down 10 metres short, and Keary went even closer with an angled run and stretch.

But the pressure told when Saints were caught offside in front of their own posts and Tomkins tied up the scores.

Soon after, Catalans thought they had hit the front for the first time, but Sironen’s touchdown was ruled out when Tevita Pangai Junior was deemed to have been tackled in the build-up.

The French side looked destined to wear down their opponents, but the Saints held their nerve and finished strongly.

Tomkins denied Saints a third score with eight minutes left when he got back to prevent Mark Percival collecting his chip through, but seconds later Lomax nudged the visitors back in front.

Catalans head coach Steve McNamara:

“I thought it was a great contest and both teams played extremely well in the conditions, it’s very difficult for people to understand how tough that was to play.

” Both teams had a game plan, then looked at the weather and scrapped it but having said that I thought we played really well in attack for the majority of the game and defended well.

“For those two St Helens tries, I thought Jack Welsby was outstanding on both sets and it’s cost us dearly. Coming back from that point took a lot of energy but it was one of those games of fine margins and Saints just pipped us to the posts.

” I don’t think we’ve had a game this season in decent weather and it’s tested us again tonight but credit to Saints, Jack Welsby was outstanding for those couple of try plays and Lomax’s kicking the drop goals was the difference. “

St Helens boss Paul Wellens:

” It’s almost impossible to prepare for those windy conditions, you can’t replicate 60mph winds in training… you just have to be alert to things.

“You saw how many last plays bounced and it became a competition for the ball, some went our way and some went theirs.

” For Jonny to land two drop goals in those conditions is outstanding.

“It’s great that we won a tight game against top opposition and we’re going to need to do that again moving forward.

Interchanges: Romano, Satae, Seguier, Maria.

St Helens: Welsby, Bennison, Robertson, Percival, Sambou, Sailor, Lomax (c), Walmsley, Whitley, Batchelor, Knowles.

Interchanges: Clark, Paasi, Wingfield, Delaney.