James goal enough as Leeds overcome Stoke

Dan James has scored 11 goals for Leeds United this seasonDan James’ first-half strike was enough to give promotion-chasing Leeds United victory over struggling Stoke City at Elland Road.

The win was Leeds’ 10th in 11 league matches, but they had to withstand a spell of second-half pressure from the relegation-threatened visitors, who ended the match with 10 men after Ben Pearson was sent off late on.

And second-placed Ipswich coming from behind to beat Bristol City meant Daniel Farke’s side remain third in the Championship table, two points behind the Tractor Boys and five behind leaders Leicester.

Stoke stay third from bottom and have now lost seven of their past nine matches.

Relive Tuesday’s Championship actionChampionship tableLeeds dominated from the start and were unfortunate not to be awarded an early penalty when keeper Daniel Iversen seemed to clip James as the forward tried to get to Ki-Jana Hoever’s weak backpass.

The home side continued to attack and created two chances in quick succession, with Patrick Bamford seeing a low effort pushed away by Iversen after being put through by Georginio Rutter, who then headed Connor Roberts’ right-wing cross over the bar.

Iversen then kept out two attempts from James, but was finally beaten shortly after the half-hour mark.

James linked up with Rutter near the right-hand edge of the penalty area and evaded Lynden Gooch and Wouter Burger before firing into the far corner of the net with the help of a deflection off Stoke defender Ben Wilmot.

Leeds keeper Illan Meslier was called into action before the interval, tipping over Lewis Baker’s long-range effort, and Stoke were much improved after the restart.

There were anxious moments for the hosts, with Meslier producing another save to deny Baker and keeping out an effort from Tyrese Campbell before Hoever sent a first-time shot wide of the target after being found by Gooch’s cross.

Leeds did threaten on the counter-attack and substitute Mateo Joseph rounded Iversen only to be denied by Wilmot’s goalline clearance.

Stoke’s hopes of a comeback were crushed when Pearson, also on as a substitute, was dismissed after an off-the-ball shove on James earned him a second yellow card.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:

“I’m pretty proud. For me it’s our best win in 2024 because everyone expects us to win this home game and sometimes there’s a spotlight.

“We didn’t have a dip in form at Huddersfield, but we had a dip in result with the draw after winning nine, and then the next game is only two and a half days later, also against a side fighting with everything they have got against relegation.

“Everyone expects that at Elland Road we beat each and every opponent and that, against a team not in the best position in the league, that it should be an easy win, and it feels a bit like that in the stadium instead of this explosion we had against Leicester when everyone was on it.

“In this type of game, to dig in and grind out a result is important to us.”

Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:

“We’ve shown some really good signs of what a team should look like. We stuck together through the hard periods, especially in the first half when Leeds put us under pressure and we didn’t buckle. We stood tall.

“Then in the second half we played really well, got on the ball, had loads of possession and had brilliant chances but unfortunately just didn’t have enough to make one of them count and get the equaliser.

“I think the players deserved something from the game. If there’s ever a way to lose a game of football, that was probably it. We showed resilience and character.

“That should give us some confidence. If we play like that going forward then we’ll be fine.”

Line-upsLeedsFormation 4-2-3-1

1Meslier33Roberts14Rodon4Ampadu25ByramSubstituted forFirpoat 88’minutes44GruevBooked at 90mins8KamaraSubstituted forGrayat 87’minutes20James24RutterSubstituted forPiroeat 71’minutes10SummervilleSubstituted forGnontoat 80’minutes9BamfordSubstituted forJosephat 71’minutesSubstitutes3Firpo5Cresswell6Cooper7Piroe22Gray28Darlow29Gnonto30Gelhardt49JosephStokeFormation 4-3-3

1Iversen17Hoever5Rose16Wilmot2Gooch28LaurentBooked at 37mins6BurgerSubstituted forPearsonat 54’minutesBooked at 86mins8BakerSubstituted forCundleat 84’minutes42ManhoefSubstituted forHaksabanovicat 78’minutes14EnnisSubstituted forCampbellat 54’minutes22BaeSubstituted forCunha Vidigalat 78’minutesSubstitutes4Pearson7Cunha Vidigal10Campbell13Bonham20Haksabanovic25Cundle26Clark27Léris35LoweReferee:Oliver Langford

Attendance:36,118

Match StatsLive TextMatch ends, Leeds United 1, Stoke City 0.

Second Half ends, Leeds United 1, Stoke City 0.

Attempt saved. Josh Laurent (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tyrese Campbell.

Illan Meslier (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Luke Cundle (Stoke City).

Ilia Gruev (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Foul by Ilia Gruev (Leeds United).

Luke Cundle (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt saved. Daniel James (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Joël Piroe with a through ball.

Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Lynden Gooch (Stoke City).

Substitution, Leeds United. Junior Firpo replaces Sam Byram.

Substitution, Leeds United. Archie Gray replaces Glen Kamara.

Second yellow card to Ben Pearson (Stoke City).

Daniel James (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Ben Pearson (Stoke City).

Attempt missed. Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Daniel James.

Substitution, Stoke City. Luke Cundle replaces Lewis Baker.

Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Ki-Jana Hoever.

Substitution, Leeds United. Wilfried Gnonto replaces Crysencio Summerville.