Farke hails Leeds’ second-half performance – and gives update on Gudmundsson

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believes his side were the only team pushing to win the game in the second half as they secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road.

After a relatively even opening 45 minutes, Leeds took control following the break with substitute Noah Okafor scoring the winner in the 79th minute.

“There’s no replacement for this winning feeling in the dressing room, it’s great to have it back,” Farke said.

“Terrific performance against an in-form Tottenham side.

“For us it has been a difficult period, we’ve been missing key players in the offence in training and games, players like Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not had the easiest spell with injury problems.

“It was important to show this unity, commitment and be tactically spot on to avoid their processes and individual quality.

“We reduced them to very little. We were missing a bit in the final third, the finishing pass wasn’t there. But in the second half only one team was pushing.”

Leeds did suffer an injury concern, though, with Gabriel Gudmundsson forced off at half-time due to a hamstring problem.

“Gabi had problems with his hamstring and it was not possible to keep going,” Farke said.

“I always prefer to have him available but Melvin had his best week in training since he came to us.

“You could feel he had momentum and I was not one moment concerned when I had to throw him in.

“Very competitive, very concentrated but it’s no coincidence. I’m a big believer that you play like you train.

“I hope it’s not too bad with Gabi and hope to have him back for Chelsea, but credit to Melvin he also played his part in a very good second half.”