After scoring the winner against Southampton, Junior Firpo admits the past few weeks have been the ‘toughest’ of his Leeds career.
The fullback made a darting run into the box, got on the end of a one-two with Jack Harrison before curling it past the goalkeeper. Firpo’s goal gave new manager Javi Gracia his first win in charge; making him the first non-caretaker Leeds manager or head coach to win his first league game in charge & keep a clean sheet since Dennis Wise in Aug 2006 2-0 v Southend.
Javi Gracia became the first non-caretaker Leeds manager or head coach to win his first league game in charge & keep a clean sheet since Dennis Wise in Aug 2006 2-0 v Southend.
The first top flight Leeds boss to do so since Terry Venables in Aug 2002 (3-0 v Man City). #LUFC pic.twitter.com/i2XL2buMmT
— LUFCDATA (@LUFCDATA) February 26, 2023
“Yes, I think so [biggest goal of his career]. We don’t deserve to be here. We were the better team and happily, I scored. The most-frustrating thing is that we played well in the first half but didn’t score.
“But we defended well, I scored and then we managed the game really well. The last few weeks have probably been the toughest of my career. But we have one of the best dressing rooms, and we deserve to be in the Premier League.”
💬 Junior: "We were the better team" pic.twitter.com/pWZwti1HvC
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 25, 2023
The victory sees Leeds climb out of the relegation zone. The Whites face Fulham in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, before going on a trip to face Chelsea this weekend.