Match ends, Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
LeedsLeeds United3TottenhamTottenham Hotspur1
Patrick Bamford scored for Leeds United in front of watching England boss Gareth Southgate to help dent Tottenham's European chances.
In an absorbing game at Elland Road, Stuart Dallas put Leeds ahead with his eighth league goal of the season, the Northern Ireland midfielder pouncing from close range after Hugo Lloris' terrific reaction save to prevent Sergio Reguilon putting through his own net.
The lead lasted 12 minutes, Son Heung-min equalising with a clinical finish after Dele Alli was allowed to run unchallenged before threading a clever pass into the South Korea forward's path.
But Leeds responded through Bamford, who tapped in Ezgjan Alioski's cross before substitute Rodrigo confirmed Spurs' first league defeat in three games under interim manager Ryan Mason.
On a frustrating day for Spurs, Harry Kane had two goals ruled out for offside and hit the bar from a free-kick, while Illan Meslier produced an excellent save to keep out Serge Aurier's deflected attempt.
With three matches left, sixth-placed Spurs are five points off fourth spot with both teams immediately above them - West Ham and Chelsea - having games in hand.
Leeds, who started the weekend in 11th spot, climbed above Aston Villa and Arsenal - who both play on Sunday - into ninth.
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Will Bamford get Euro 2020 call?
Southgate, who will this month name his squad for this summer's delayed Euro 2020 Championship, was at Elland Road to see Bamford score his 15th Premier League goal of the season.
Earlier this season, Southgate said Bamford was close to being called up but opted instead for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins.
With countries allowed to select a 26-player squad instead of the usual 23 at this summer's tournament, the former Chelsea player could well be in contention for a first England call at the age of 27.
He has been a key to Leeds' solid return to the top flight and was in the right place to score his team's second goal during a typical hard-working performance by Marcelo Bielsa's side.
Their return to the Premier League has been peppered with memorable moments. Leeds have taken four points off champions-elect Manchester City, won convincingly at third-placed Leicester and played some exciting football throughout.
This high-energy performance was another highlight as they scored three or more goals in a single game for the eighth time. They could have won by a more handsome margin.
At 1-1, Lloris produced a one-handed save to keep out Jack Harrison and the Spurs keeper later denied Mateusz Klich at 2-1, before Moreno's goal, after a superb run and pass by the returning Raphinha, settled it.
The result means Leeds will finish this season unbeaten at home in the league against the so-called big six.
Will Spurs make Europe?
This was Tottenham's second defeat since sacking Jose Mourinho last month. Not only is 2020-21 their 13th season without a major trophy after they lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, they are now in danger of missing out on a place in Europe.
While Mourinho has since resurfaced in Italy at Roma, Spurs' search for a permanent manager looks set to extend into the close season.
Whoever takes over faces a huge task.
Question marks remain over the future of England captain Kane while Gareth Bale has just three games before he is due to return to Real Madrid.
Tottenham's next manager will be the 10th permanent appointment made during Daniel Levy's 20 years as chairman. He really needs to get the next one right.
Having beaten Southampton and relegated Sheffield United at home under Mason, this was a careless performance against Leeds.
The hosts were much more energetic and took the lead after Aurier failed to cut out a cross, while Eric Dier's poor headed clearance sparked the move that led to Bamford scoring Leeds' second goal.
Fourth place looks an unlikely prospect now for Spurs, while sixth place will become seventh if Liverpool beat Southampton at Anfield in the day's late kick-off.
'Leeds are fittest team in league' - what they said
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa: "We could have scored more goals, but we could have conceded more as well. The difference of two goals is adequate. To have won by more goals, it would not have corresponded, even if it was possible.
"I don't think [Spurs] played without enthusiasm. On our part, I link it to the spirit of the players."
Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason: "Leeds are probably the fittest team in the Premier League so we knew it was going to be difficult early on.
"We wanted to come here and win the game. We haven't done that. That's very disappointing.
"We have to get over this and we have to work well this week and hopefully get three points next weekend."
Leeds keep out the 'big six' - the stats
- Leeds became the first side to remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League against each of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham in a season since West Ham in 2015-16, and only the third newly promoted side to do so, after Ipswich Town in 2000-01 and Birmingham City in 2009-10.
- Spurs have lost five of their 10 Premier League away games in 2021.
- Patrick Bamford became just the fourth Englishman to score 15-plus goals for Leeds in a single Premier League campaign after Lee Chapman (15 in 1992-93), Rod Wallace (17 in 1993-94) and Michael Bridges (19 in 1999-00).
- Bamford has had a hand 22 Premier League goals this season (15 goals, seven assists) - only one Englishman has been involved in more (Harry Kane, 34).
- Only team-mate Kane (21) and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (20) have scored more Premier League goals than Tottenham's Son Heung-min (17) this season.
- Stuart Dallas is the first Northern Ireland player to score as many as eight Premier League goals in a single season since Chris Brunt in 2008-09.
What's next?
Leeds are at Burnley next Saturday (12:30 BST), while Tottenham are at home to Wolves on Sunday, 16 May (14:05 BST).
Player of the match
DallasStuart Dallas
with an average of 8.76
Leeds United
Avg
- Squad number15Player nameDallasAverage rating
8.76
- Squad number9Player nameBamfordAverage rating
8.41
- Squad number22Player nameHarrisonAverage rating
8.41
- Squad number5Player nameKochAverage rating
8.37
- Squad number10Player nameAlioskiAverage rating
8.33
- Squad number20Player nameRodrigoAverage rating
8.24
- Squad number18Player nameRaphinhaAverage rating
8.23
- Squad number1Player nameMeslierAverage rating
8.18
- Squad number21Player nameStruijkAverage rating
8.12
- Squad number14Player nameLlorenteAverage rating
8.11
- Squad number43Player nameKlichAverage rating
7.86
- Squad number2Player nameAylingAverage rating
7.82
- Squad number23Player namePhillipsAverage rating
7.65
- Squad number11Player nameRobertsAverage rating
7.16
Tottenham Hotspur
Avg
Squad number1Player nameLlorisAverage rating5.60
Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-MinAverage rating5.08
Squad number10Player nameKaneAverage rating4.55
Squad number20Player nameAlliAverage rating4.32
Squad number4Player nameAlderweireldAverage rating3.89
Squad number9Player nameBaleAverage rating3.66
- Squad number5Player nameHøjbjergAverage rating
3.61
Squad number24Player nameAurierAverage rating3.51
- Squad number18Player nameLo CelsoAverage rating
3.43
Squad number27Player nameLucas MouraAverage rating3.32
- Squad number3Player nameReguilónAverage rating
3.26
Squad number11Player nameLamelaAverage rating3.22
Squad number15Player nameDierAverage rating3.18
- Squad number28Player nameNdombeleAverage rating
3.04
Line-ups
Leeds
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Meslier
- 2Ayling
- 14Llorente
- 21Struijk
- 10Alioski
- 5KochBooked at 51mins
- 15Dallas
- 11RobertsSubstituted forRaphinhaat 58'minutes
- 43KlichSubstituted forPhillipsat 90'minutes
- 22Harrison
- 9BamfordSubstituted forRodrigoat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Poveda-Ocampo
- 13Casilla
- 18Raphinha
- 19Hernández
- 20Rodrigo
- 23Phillips
- 24Davis
- 28Berardi
- 46Shackleton
Tottenham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Lloris
- 24Aurier
- 4Alderweireld
- 15Dier
- 3ReguilónBooked at 61mins
- 18Lo CelsoSubstituted forNdombeleat 80'minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 9BaleSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 67'minutesBooked at 68mins
- 20AlliSubstituted forLamelaat 67'minutes
- 7Son Heung-Min
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 6D Sánchez
- 8Winks
- 11Lamela
- 12Hart
- 17Sissoko
- 23Bergwijn
- 27Lucas Moura
- 28Ndombele
- Referee:
- Michael Oliver
Match Stats
Home TeamLeedsAway TeamTottenham
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away3
- Corners
- Home8
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Moura.
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Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Hugo Lloris.
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Attempt saved. Stuart Dallas (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rodrigo.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Kalvin Phillips replaces Mateusz Klich.
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Foul by Luke Ayling (Leeds United).
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Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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VAR Decision: Goal Leeds United - Leeds United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Rodrigo).
Goal!
Goal! Leeds United 3, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Rodrigo (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raphinha.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mateusz Klich (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Stuart Dallas.
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Foul by Diego Llorente (Leeds United).
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Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Tanguy Ndombele replaces Giovani Lo Celso.
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Rodrigo replaces Patrick Bamford.
Post update
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Raphinha.
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Attempt saved. Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harry Kane.
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Ezgjan Alioski (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur).
Post update
Attempt missed. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Mateusz Klich.
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Comments
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Bielsa is a Legend. How many points have they taken off so called super league sides?
I thought commentators were suppose to be neutral.