Draw on the road just fine by Daniel Farke
By Alan Davison
LEEDS UNITED 1
James 28
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke felt the draw against struggling Luton Town was still a point gained in their quest to reach the Premier League – despite dropping out of the top two.
The Hatters led when Izzy Jones volleyed home his first goal for the club before Dan James curled home an equaliser.
Neither side were able to push on for a winner as the Whites were leapfrogged by their promotion rivals Burnley, who came back from 1-0 down to defeat Coventry City 2-1.
Luton’s point keeps them within two points from safety.
Hard-fought
Afterwards, Farke gave his thoughts on his side’s performance at Kenilworth Road.
He said: “This was a hard-fought point.
“We knew it would always be a difficult game because, let’s be honest, Luton were playing in the Premier League last season, with not the worst points tally, I have to say.
“It’s definitely one point gained.
“You can never underestimate, especially during this time, a point on the road, also a point against a side who’s fighting with the knife between the teeth against relegation.
“So for me, it was one of the toughest games of the run-in.”
FOOT IN: Leeds’ Isaac Schmidt, right, battles for the ball against Luton’s Christ Makosso
Match action
The Whites looked strong in the early stages, trying to take advantage of a slip by Christ Makosso as Manor Solomon’s dangerous cross was headed straight at Thomas Kaminski by James.
The Luton stopper made a brilliant stop after 14 minutes to deny Junior Firpo after the defender prodded Manor Solomon’s free kick goalwards, clawing it away from the bottom corner, also denying the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur winger when he took aim from outside the box.
Town then went to the other end and moved in front after 15 minutes as they sliced through United’s midfield, Liam Walsh winning the ball back and finding Elijah Adebayo, who outmuscled his marker to send the overlapping Jordan Clark into the box.
The midfielder was able to wait for support and pick out the perfect cross for Jones, who arrived on time to volley home.
United weren’t behind for long, though, as James drew them level after 28 minutes when he was allowed to collect a half-cleared corner and, having got past the challenge of Adebayo, bent his 20-yard effort inside the far post for his 12th of the season.
Just before the break, Luton looked to reassert their advantage.
Makosso’s long throw flicked on by Morris for strike partner Adebayo, but his header was comfortably grasped by Karl Darlow.
ALL-SQUARE: Dan James celebrates scoring Leeds’ leveller
PICTURE: Alamy
Second half
After the break, Adebayo was forced off only four minutes in when he suffered a knee injury, the fit-again Tahith Chong coming on.
Luton almost had the lead again, though, Thelo Aasgaard finding some space and drilling low, only to see Darlow make a fine save with Clark teed up afterwards, only to slash over the bar.
Kaminski was out quickly to stop Solomon getting through, as the keeper also did well after 73 minutes as Leeds were able to break quickly, palming substitute Patrick Bamford’s low shot aside.
Leeds might have won it with eight minutes left as James escaped the offside flag that Luton’s fans and players were screaming for.
His cross put wide from just a few yards out at the far post by Solomon.
Substitute Isaac Schmidt then had another chance in stoppage time, but Makosso made a superb sliding challenge to prevent him getting a shot away, as Burnley’s victory at Coventry saw the Whites drop to third spot with six games remaining.
IT’S MINE: Karl Darlow saves
Proud
Luton boss Matt Bloomfield said: “It’s a performance to be well and truly proud of.
“A club to be proud of.
“We knew with the quality that Leeds had in possession, we’d have to be disciplined and structured.
“But I thought we pressed at the appropriate moments.
“In the main, I thought it was a really good defensive display, to a man the work-rate and effort and intensity was brilliant.”
Star Man – Christ Makosso (Luton Town)
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