There were no signs of any New Year’s hangovers in the away end as the travelling Leeds United contingent silenced the Anfield crowd, cheering Leeds United on in 2026’s opening day meeting with Liverpool. Nor were there on the field, either, as the Whites made it six Premier League outings unbeaten with a draw against the reigning champions.
December had been an incredibly productive month for Daniel Farke’s side and January promised to follow suit. Next up came the visit of Manchester United to Elland Road. The famous old ground was at its very best as Brenden Aaronson put Leeds into the lead however a leveller for the opposition ensured the spoils were shared.
If 2026’s opening two fixtures were cagey affairs, the year’s third match could not have been any more different. The Whites led three times against Newcastle United on Tyneside – twice through the impressive Brenden Aaronson and once through Dominic Calvert-Lewin – but each time the hosts responded and ultimately snatched all three points in cruel fashion 12 minutes into injury time.
“Both sides have played this game in the manner this game should be played,” the boss explained at St. James’ Park, not too despondent. “Very passionate, very emotional, very attacking-minded. Of course, there were also a few mistakes on both sides, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many goals. This is what both teams have to accept in terms of criticism.
“I have to say that I am more than proud of the performance of my lads, and also the desire and belief and the bravery that we showed here today against a side that was playing on a Champions League level.”
From there, a much-rotated side got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Sky Bet Championship outfit Derby County in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round before Lukas Nmecha stole the headlines with a last-gasp volley to beat Fulham on home soil. Deadlocked as the clock ticked over the 90’ mark, the German reacted quickest to meet captain Ethan Ampadu’s cross and flicked an audacious effort beyond the despairing dive of Bernd Leno.
Before the match, the ground had come together to remember the late United great Terry Yorath, and after the encounter, the skipper paid tribute to his countryman and believed the result was fitting.
“I think first of all, the reception that the players, the fans, even Fulham gave Terry before the game was special and that shows how together this club is. It was obviously very special to win today. There have been a lot of special nights here, special days, special results here that I have been part of. It is another one today.”
Leeds United’s first visit to Everton’s brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium saw the Whites come away with a point. James Justin was on target, grabbing his second of the month after netting previously in the cup victory at Pride Park.
“I think we played a really good first half but we also knew they were going to come out stronger in the second half,” defender Sebastiaan Bornauw said at the time. “In the end, I think it is a good point on the road. I am just looking at ourselves and seeing game by game. I think we controlled it quite well.
“I think they didn’t have maybe one chance before the goal. I think we defended quite well. I am a bit gutted it goes in but I think it was a good defensive performance. I think we feel good. I think there is a good understanding between all the defensive players, the offensive players, the midfielders. Yeah, in the end, we are happy with the point.”
Despite a heavy defeat to eventual champions Arsenal in January’s final fixture, the Whites ended the month in 16th, maintaining a healthy gap to the bottom three.
