Melvin Bard properly introduced himself to Elland Road on Saturday.

The Frenchman has still played more minutes for Nice than he has Leeds United this season, but the highlight of his 2026/27 undoubtedly came this weekend. Bard got the nod at half-time when Gabriel Gudmundsson reported a tightness in his hamstring. Gudmundsson's importance to Leeds is obvious - his rapid-fire adaptation to the Premier League last season nailed down the starting berth on the left side of Daniel Farke's backline - but the boss had no qualms about turning to Bard.

"I always prefer to have [Gudmundsson] available but Melvin had his best week in training since he came to us," said Farke. "You could feel he had momentum and I was not one moment concerned when I had to throw him in."

Bard was thrown into the deep end of a game against in-form Spurs that was locked at 0-0 and he did more than keep his head above water. His eye-catching display earned praise from Farke, team-mates, pundits and supporters. And the 26-year-old was pleased with himself, too.

"I think I made a good entrance," he said. "It was also important to get into the match well, because the team had played a good first half. And also, Gabi had played a good first half, I’m thinking of him too, because he got injured. So no, I think I made a good entrance."

Farke's dressing room demand of Bard was to replicate his performances at Thorp Arch in the week. "To play like I did in training," said the left-back. "To defend well, also to attack and just to enjoy myself."

Leeds were in the ascendancy from the outset of the second half and Bard was heavily involved. The left-back played his part in a number of attacks and put himself about defensively. It was his decision to put his head down and run the ball out of defence, before a one-two with Ethan Ampadu, that started the move for Sean Longstaff's big chance. And when Leeds eventually and almost inevitably broke through, it was from a Bard throw-in.

"I knew we were going to score." he said. "I felt that we pushed a lot at the start of the second half, and I knew that at some point it would pay off.

"The win feels good. It feels very good. We needed it, for the team, because I think we have been sometimes a bit unlucky in some matches. And today, we did the job. We defended well, and we attacked well, and today’s victory was important and deserved. Elland Road was, as always, incredible. Always incredible the supporters. Incredible."

Bard joined the club late in the transfer window, in a move that was only completed and confirmed in the final hours of deadline day itself. He's on loan from Ligue 1 side Nice with an option for it to be made permanent.

"It’s going very well," he said. "The players have integrated me very well, the staff, all the people at the club have welcomed me very well."