Leeds Keep The Relegation Dog Fight Alive

Leeds weren't at their best against Spurs, but the attitude that has served the team so well this season saw them leave North London with a point.

Leeds arrived in North London with a spring in their step. The previous afternoon saw Arsenal beat West Ham to mathematically ensure that Leeds would avoid the drop. In fairness, only the most pessimistic Leeds fans were actually worried about relegation; most of us knew deep down that we were going to be safe, even if we weren't quite ready to verbalise it until proven beyond doubt.

Leeds Refuse To Lie Down

With West ham being cruelly denied an equaliser, many amongst theirs and Spurs' fanbase seemed to believe that a semi-resurgent Spurs were almost guaranteed 3 points when the now safe Leeds rocked up to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They were sorely (or thankfully in West Ham's case) mistaken. Anyone who has watched Leeds post the now famous City turnaround will know that Leeds are not a team to lie down in any scenario.

Early Chances

Although Leeds' performance wasn't a vintage one, the way they fought back to earn a point (and arguably should've taken all 3) is a testament to the spirit and attitude within the squad. Leeds were without both Bogle and Gudmundsson, and it was telling as Leeds struggled in the wide areas. They weren't without chances, though. Mathys Tel inexplicably lashed the ball across his own area, with only the head of Danso saving his blushes as Justin waited expectantly.

Minutes later, the much maligned Antonin Kinsky pulled off an incredible save from Joe Rodon's header; unfortunately for Leeds it wouldn't be his only goal-defying save.

Spurs Take The Lead; Dreadful Refereeing

Early in the 2nd half Mathys Tel popped up at the right end of the pitch this time to curl in a great strike that put Spurs 1 up. Luckily for Leeds, Tel wasn't quite done yet. This time back in his own area, rather than simply head the ball to safety, he tried an audacious overhead kick that made contact with Ampadu's head rather than the ball. A stone wall penalty if ever there was one. Not everyone was as quick to notice this blatant foul, and head injury, as the fucking idiot ref allowed play to continue before someone with a shred of common sense signalled for him to bring it back. Fucking useless, again. Woeful refereeing has been an unfortunate theme over the course of our season. Luckily, it’s not been overly costly.

Calvert-Lewin Hits 13 For The Season; Kinsky's Redemption

Calvert-Lewin dispatched the resulting penalty to take his tally to 13 goals for the season. Not bad for an injury-ravaged free transfer.

Leeds weren't content with a point and should have won the game extra time, but for that man Kinsky. This time it was Sean Longstaff, running into an excellent Justin through ball, who tested him. Kinsky stuck out an instinctive hand that pushed the ball onto the underside of the bar and away from goal. Such was the power in the strike it was only with the aid of a replay that it became clear that Kinsky had actually saved it.

Fair play to Kinsky, the Atletico debacle was only a month or so ago, and he had such a torrid time that it wouldn't have been completely surprising if his career never recovered. An impressive redemption arc on his part.

The Relegation Battle Heats Up

All in all Leeds were good value for their point, and it was good to see them dispel any myths that they'd 'lie down'. It also keeps the relegation battle alive. West Ham travel to Newcastle before facing us on the final day. Spurs on the other hand go to Chelsea before welcoming Everton. Having only beaten Chelsea once at Stamford Bridge in the last 20 years, and with their home form notoriously piss-poor, it's obvious the Spurs have the harder games. West Ham may fancy their chances against us, but, to be honest, I think it'll be them who slips down to the Championship. And it's hard to say it'll be undeserved. Many years of mismanagement by a bunch of creeps will do that. I'm just glad that Leeds' will play a pivotal role in either Spurs' or West Ham's delicious demise.

Next up for Leeds is Brighton at Elland Road. If the Whites avoid defeat it will mean that the only 2 teams to have done the double over them this season will be the two title chasers, Arsenal and Man City, which is really quite remarkable. If you'd have told that to the fans after the early season defeats to Burnley or Forest you'd have been met with complete derision.

More Southampton Shame

In more depressing news, our very own Luke Ayling was on the receiving end of some horrific abuse during Middlesbrough's play-off defeat to Southampton. After an on-field altercation, Harwood-Bellis apparently made derogatory remarks about Ayling's stammer. Shameful stuff from a club already mired in embarrassing spying allegations.

Luke Ayling has always been open and honest about his speech impediment, but he's always braved it out and fronted up when on media duties, demonstrating a bravery that only cowards like Harwood-Bellis can dream of.

He may play for Middlesbrough now, but he's Leeds at heart and I'll back him to the hilt over that Roy Keane-adjacent prick any day. Of course, it's not surprising that being involved with Keane's offspring would mean spending an inordinate amount of time with the utter gobshite. Becoming an absolute wanker was almost inevitable, I suppose.