Patrick Bamford was at the centre of a controversy which could have made Leeds United’s win over Middlesbrough much more straightforward.
Daniel Farke’s side finally returned to winning ways at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday and climbed back to the top of the Championship table as a result, edging Boro 1-0 thanks to Dan James‘ early goal.
Burnley being held to a 0-0 draw at Derby County and Sheffield United losing 1-0 at home to Millwall sees Leeds overtake both of their automatic promotion rivals, returning to the summit on goal difference.
James’ second-minute strike from a Manor Solomon cross left Leeds with 88 minutes to hold onto their slender lead, albeit the 1-0 scoreline could and should have been extended by no less than two goals.
Specsavers respond after Leeds United incidents
Leeds left the Riverside with three points on the board and +1 in the goal difference column, but those numbers should’ve been the same after Bamford and Ao Tanaka were wrongly denied goals for offside.
Tanaka was flagged despite being a yard behind Hayden Hackney as he sneaked in to tap home another Solomon cross in the 34th minute, denying Leeds the chance to take a deserved 2-0 lead into half-time.
| Middlesbrough | Statistic | Leeds United |
| 0 | Goals | 1 |
| 1.13 | xG | 1.01 |
| 2 / 17 | Shots on Target | 3 / 5 |
| 53% | Possession | 47% |
| 4 | Corners | 4 |
In the 77th minute, substitute Bamford also saw his well-taken goal chalked off by the linesman’s flag, finishing from Willy Gnonto’s throughball despite being level, if not behind, last man Anfernee Dijksteel.
After Bamford’s effort was disallowed, Leeds voiced their frustrations on X (8 April), saying: “Another goal, another ruled offside, another replay show [it was] onside.”
Amid a sea of bemused Leeds fans voicing similar opinions, Specsavers chimed in with a comment, tagging Leeds as they asked; “You called?”
You called?
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) April 8, 2025
Leeds United back on course for Premier League place
Keith Hackett couldn’t believe what he was seeing when discussing Tanaka’s offside goal with Football Insider, and despite both the midfielder and Bamford being denied, Leeds still did enough for the points.
Farke’s side returning to the Championship summit, following their hardest remaining game of the season, gives United a massive boost heading into the final five games, with the pressure cranking up.
With the Premier League now firmly back in their sights, eyes will be turning towards the summer, and despite a clean sheet for Karl Darlow, Football Insider revealed on 5 April that Leeds already have an international goalkeeper on their radar.
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