Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 2 (James 6’, Piroe 90' pen)

Preston North End 1 (Keane 2’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo (Byram 77’), Ampadu (C), Kamara (Piroe 77’), Bamford, Summerville (Cooper 90’), Rodon, James, Gray, Georginio (Joseph 90’), Gruev. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Anthony, Shackleton, Poveda, Gelhardt. 

Preston: Cornell (GK), Whiteman (C), Lindsay, Keane (Brady 77’), Frokjaer-Jensen (Woodburn 90’), McCann (Ledson 70’), Storey, Hughes, Riis Jakobsen (Stewart 77’), Millar (Browne 77’), Potts. Subs not used: Pradic (GK), Cunningham, Bauer, Best. 

Referee: David Webb

Booked: Summerville, Bamford, Georginio (Leeds) Whiteman, McCann, Lindsay, Cornell, Ledson, Stewart (PNE) 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,570

Leeds United came back from behind to defeat Preston North End on Sunday afternoon, scoring a stoppage time penalty to claim the three points. 

Will Keane had put the visitors ahead early on, before a quick response from Dan James. Entering stoppage time at the end of the second half, Joel Piroe kept his cool to slot home from the spot, securing the three points! 

The visitors started brightly and took the lead, inside two minutes of the game. A wide free-kick from the left wasn’t cleared and Liam Millar fired the ball across the face of goal, finding Keane, who tapped home at close range. 

The Whites responded quickly to going behind, and were level by the sixth minute. A superb run down the left wing from Junior Firpo saw the full-back cross to the back post, where James leapt highest, to head home the equaliser. 

The next efforts came from Leeds, as they looked to try and keep the pressure on following the goal. Crysencio Summerville and then Firpo, from a free-kick, struck at goal, but neither of them troubled the visiting net. 

Next up to go close was Patrick Bamford. He was well-placed and met a cross from James on the right, powering a header at goal, only to see Dai Cornell save well.  

In two final chances before the interval, both Firpo and Georginio Rutter had headers on goal, but neither found the target. The whistle sounded shortly after, sending the teams in level. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Preston

Starting brightly after the restart, Leeds had two early openings. Cornell had come racing out of his goal for the away side and didn’t deal with the ball, but the Whites couldn’t take full advantage of the opening as Preston got bodies back to clear. 

Moments later and the pace of James caused issues again. He raced onto a loose ball and once again Cornell rushed out, so the winger looked to chip him, with his effort landing on the roof of the goal.  

No clear cut opportunities were coming at either end as the game progressed, despite the best efforts of both teams, and the home support willing their side on. 

To try and force their respective side ahead, with 15 minutes to play, changes were made on each side. Leeds brought both Sam Byram and Piroe into the action, replacing Firpo and Glen Kamara. 

A heated match was reaching its conclusion and Leeds were on top, but left frustrated by some time-wasting and a strong defensive unit from the visitors.

However, entering stoppage time, Joe Rodon played the ball back into the box and it struck the arm of Ryan Ledson. The referee pointed straight to the spot, meaning Leeds had an opportunity to win it. 

Fresh from the bench and taking responsibility, Piroe sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and calmly slotted home, with Elland Road erupting around him. 

The full-time whistle went shortly after, securing a big three points for Daniel Farke’s side, and continuing the unbeaten home run in the 2023/24 campaign. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-1 Preston North End