Lukas Nmecha came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Leeds United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Fulham at Elland Road. The striker, introduced in the 81st minute, latched onto Ethan Ampadu's cross in the first minute of added time to fire into the bottom-right corner and keep Leeds eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Leeds dominated after a cagey first half but spurned several opportunities, leading to fears they would be made to pay. However, Nmecha's late intervention ensured the points stayed in West Yorkshire. The home side paid tribute to former player and manager Terry Yorath, who died aged 75, with black armbands and a minute's applause before kick-off. Yorath's daughter, Gabby Logan, attended the match.
Manager Daniel Farke praised his side's resilience: 'Today we faced a really in-form side... We fully deserved to win this game. We didn't give one proper chance during the whole game. We've missed several chances, but stayed relentless to the end.' Fulham boss Marco Silva conceded his side were second best: 'This was not a good performance at all. Second half, we didn't perform at the level the game demands.'
Leeds' best early chance fell to Brenden Aaronson, who blazed over when through on goal, while Noah Okafor tested Bernd Leno. Fulham's Raúl Jiménez headed wide from a Harry Wilson corner. After the break, Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned an Aaronson cross narrowly wide, and Gabriel Gudmundsson fired off target. James Justin's effort was held by Leno, who later saved well from Calvert-Lewin again. Pascal Struijk and Nmecha headed off target from corners before the winner arrived.
The result ends Fulham's seven-match unbeaten league run and moves Leeds to six league wins this season. Nmecha was denied a second by Leno's brilliant reflex save as Leeds closed out the win.
