LUKAS NMECHA’S late show lifted Leeds a massive step clear of the drop zone.
The German striker stretched superbly to meet Ethan Ampadu’s cross in the 91st minute and volley in a dramatic winner against in-form Fulham.
Lukas Nmecha’s fifth goal of the campaign sparked wild scenes at Elland RoadCredit: Reuters
Lukas Nmecha fires home the winner for a big three pointsCredit: Getty
It was Nmecha’s fifth goal of the campaign and victory has 16th-placed Leeds eight points clear of third-bottom West Ham.
For Fulham, it was a low blow as their six-match unbeaten run came to a disappointing end.
After scoring in 12 straight games, the Cottagers failed to find the net for the first time since November as 35-year-old Karl Darlow justified Daniel Farke’s faith in him.
The Leeds boss turned to the Wales international keeper after a bold call to drop summer signing Lucas Perri following recent errors.
But Darlow, whose last league game was the 2-0 defeat at Burnley in October, could have put his feet up as Fulham had one shot on target in a bore-fest.
That came in the 35th minute when he stopped Sasa Lukic’s weak header.
By then Leeds had wasted the best opening when Jayden Bogle sent Brenden Aaronson clear in the 23rd minute, but his attempt to lift the ball over the advancing Bernd Leno was hurried and headed horribly into the stands.
Having netted against both Manchester United and Newcastle, the American was looking to score for a third successive league game and buried his head in his hands at his miss.
Aaronson did tee up Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a chance of his 10th goal of the campaign in the 58th minute, but the Premier League’s December Player of the Month winner volleyed wide.
Fulham were looking to rack up a fourth straight league win over Leeds – and first ever back-to-back at Elland Road.
But this was a painful watch as rare opportunities came in the first ten minutes.
Ethan Ampadu showed strength to win a crunching challenge and spark a counter-attack on the left by releasing Noah Okafor, whose finish stung the palms of Leno.
At the other end, Raul Jimenez headed a Harry Wilson corner wide, before the Welshman lashed an effort wide.
Fulham impressively beat Chelsea on their last outing, but this was a ragged display as they failed to score for the first time since a 2-0 loss at Everton back in November.
Timothy Castagne and Lukic picked up the game’s first bookings in quick succession – infuriating boss Marco Silva, who was also cautioned by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Yet it failed to fuel a bit of much-needed fire to an occasion that was sombre at the start as tribute was paid to former Leeds and Wales legend Terry Yorath, who died aged 75 on January 7th.
Fulham boss Marco Silva reacts to the officialsCredit: Reuters
Sasa Lukic of Fulham and Ethan Ampadu of Leeds United battle for the ballCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
His compatriot, current Leeds skipper Ampadu, tried to drive his side, but they missed the creativity and energy of Anton Stach alongside him in midfield.
The German international was ruled out with an abductor muscle injury, while centre-back Jaka Bijol looks set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring strain.
Leeds brought in forward Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton after his spell at Chelsea was cut short, but the Argentine was denied a debut off the bench as Farke turned to Nmecha.
And Luk was on his side as the frontman delivered in stunning fashion – and might even have had another but for a fine one-handed stop from Leno.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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