Leeds solidified their position at the Championship summit with an impressive 3-1 victory against Middlesbrough, marking their eighth consecutive home win of the season. The Whites had already lost to the Smoggies this season, a 3-0 home defeat back in August, but if Farke's side were apprehensive, they certainly didn't show it on the pitch. They were far more creative than their North Yorkshire neighbours, and used their wide men to great effect to constantly move the visitors out of position, and keep them penned in to their own half for much of the game.

There was an element of luck about Leeds opener on 14 minutes. Byram and James combined well down the right channel. As James drove the ball low and hard across the six yard area, panic set in, and Dieng's attempted clearance ricocheted off Gnonto, and into the back of the net. He could have doubled his tally late on in the first half, only for the Senegalese International to make amends with a smart save to his right.

The dynamics of the match shifted on 54 minutes when Max Wober inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a well executed Boro corner. Despite this wobble, Leeds held firm, and retook the lead 20 minutes later with an exquisite strike from James (his fourth of the season). The Welsh International showed great poise and control to lift the ball over Dieng and find the corner.

Aaronson added the cherry on the cake with a third in stoppage time, as the visitors went aimlessly in search of an equaliser. Leeds deserved their victory over one of the Championship's most in-form teams, and have created a three point buffer between themselves and third place. Sunderland and Burnley can't stop drawing at the moment, so if the Whites can improve their away form, they could find themselves clear of the chasing pack come the new year.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
	25	Byram, Sam Defender
	39	Wober, Max Defender
	5	Struijk, Pascal Defender
	6	Rodon, Joe Defender
	8	Rothwell, Joe Midfielder
	22	Tanaka, Ao Midfielder
	7	James, Daniel Midfielder
	29	Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder
	11	Aaronson, Brenden Midfielder
	19	Joseph, Mateo Forward
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	10	Piroe, Joel Forward
	14	Solomon, Manor Midfielder
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
	33	Schmidt, Isaac Defender
	23	Guilavogui, Josuha Midfielder
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper		Unused Sub
	50	Crew, Charlie Midfielder		Unused Sub
	17	Ramazani, Largie Midfielder		Unused Sub
	9	Bamford, Patrick Forward		Unused Sub

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2024/2025
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2024-25
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2024/25