Leeds United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday, which maintained their eight-point lead over teams in the relegation.
The game, which Leeds dominated, was moving towards a 0-0 stalemate. However, Lukas Nmecha had other ideas, and he scored in the last minute of regulation time to win all three points for the home side.
Daniel Farke and his team celebrated a hard-fought home win at the end of the game as they again showed that they are good enough to survive in the Premier League.
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Tottenham | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 31 | 29 | +2 | 27 |
| 15 | Bournemouth | 21 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 26 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 30 | 37 | -7 | 25 |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 22 |
| 18 | West Ham | 22 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 44 | -20 | 17 |
| 19 | Burnley | 22 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 23 | 42 | -19 | 14 |
| 20 | Wolves | 21 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 41 | -26 | 7 |
Nmecha showed his worth in the squad amid talk of Leeds signing a striker in the winter window. He came on at the end and changed the game for the Whites.
Alan Shearer changed his tune on Leeds United striker Lukas Nmecha
The former England captain stressed Leeds did well to create the chance at the end of the game and praised Nmecha for producing a clinical finish to win the game.
He insisted that the forward did brilliantly to get ahead of the defender and produce the shot that ended up in the back of the net.
Shearer said on Match of the Day: “They work it really well, they get it into that corner there, and they put a fantastic ball in, gives and goes Ampadu, and then he whips a great ball in, but watch Nmecha’s movement… that is a clinical finish.
“Fantastic to get himself ahead of the defender and then put it in the back of the net and got his team three points.”
Shearer conceded that he had previously made fun of the striker’s first touch. However, admitted that Nmecha did exactly what Farke wanted him to do against Fulham.
He added, “When you’ve got nine minutes and the managers putting you on, he’s putting you on to affect the game in the right way.
“I know we’ve had a laugh about his touches, but he’s certainly done that and the three points he’s earned them.”
Nmecha produced a goal at the right time for Leeds, and himself
Nmecha’s goal not only won Leeds the game and maintained the gap between them and the relegation zone, but it has also come at the right time for the striker.
Leeds have enquired about signing Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen in the ongoing transfer window, and are actively looking to bring in a striker.
The arrival of a striker will push Nmecha down the pecking order at Leeds, and the goal has come as a timely reminder of his quality and his importance in the squad.
Farke will find it hard to ignore a striker who has not been prolific but has still popped up some important goals for the team this season.
Leeds may think twice about committing big funds for the arrival of a striker if Nmecha continues to make an impact in the next week or so.
