Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 1 (James 33’) 

Stoke City 0

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ampadu (C), Kamara (Gray 87’), Bamford (Piroe 71’), Summerville (Gnonto 79’), Rodon, James, Georginio (Joseph 71’), Byram (Firpo 88’), Roberts, Gruev. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Gelhardt.

Stoke: Iversen (GK), Gooch, Rose, Burger (Pearson 54’), Baker (Cundle 84’), Ennis (Campbell 54’), Wilmot, Hoever, Junho (Vidigal 78’), Laurent (C), Manhoef (Haksabanovic 78’). Subs not used: Bonham (GK), Clark, Leris, Lowe. 

Referee: Oliver Langford

Booked: Laurent, Pearson (Stoke) Gruev (Leeds) 

Sent-off: Pearson (Stoke) 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 36,118

Leeds United secured a big three points against Stoke City at Elland Road, after Dan James netted a first half winner for Daniel Farke’s side. 

The Whites were on the front foot early on and had plenty of possession against the visitors, but the opening 15 minutes or so saw very little goalmouth action. 

Illan Meslier made a comfortable save to deny Josh Laurent’s strike from the edge of the box, whilst at the other end, James had claims for a penalty turned away after going down under a challenge from opposition number one Daniel Iversen. 

A first real sight on the Stoke goal came midway through the first half, with two good chances. Georginio Rutter played Patrick Bamford a clever ball and the striker forced a good save from Iversen. 

Moments later and having the chance himself this time, Connor Roberts crossed into the box for Georginio, who powered his header over the bar. Then turning creator once more, Georginio played in James, who forced another good save from Iversen. 

The visitors number one was having a good half, after an initial quiet opening. He made another excellent save to once again deny James, after Glen Kamara had picked the winger out with an excellent pass. 

Iversen’s resistance wouldn’t last much longer in his personal battle against James, though. The winger burst forward and with other options, he chose to go alone when dribbling into the box, before smashing low into the bottom corner to open the scoring. 

Approaching the break, Meslier was then called into action again. Lewis Baker picked up the ball 25-yards or so from goal and struck a powerful curling effort on target, which saw the ‘keeper tip it over the bar at full stretch. 

After a slow start to the half and then a period of chances, Farke’s side took a one-goal advantage into their dressing room when the whistle sounded for the interval. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Stoke City 

No changes were made on either side of the second 45 minutes, as the teams came out to battle one another again under the lights of Elland Road.  

The away side were looking to get level and had more forward momentum after the break. Baker again tested Meslier, with the ‘keeper doing well to get down to his low effort on goal. 

After Meslier had then been called into action once more, this time stopping Campbell’s effort with his feet, Farke went to the bench. Georginio and Bamford were replaced by Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe, for the final 20 minutes.  

Straight into the action and racing onto a long ball over the top, Joseph came close to doubling the lead. He collected it well and rounded Iversen before shooting on target from a narrow angle, but backtracking on line, Ben Wilmot cleared well for the away side. 

Next to enter was Willy Gnonto, as Farke looked to his bench again in the final 10 minutes. The Italian came on down the wing in a direct replacement for Summerville. 

There was to be another change but this one with no replacement, as second half substitute Ben Pearson was given his marching orders. He had picked up a yellow card for a foul on James earlier in the half, before then taking him down off the ball again in the 86th minute, and therefore he was dismissed.  

Entering six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game, it was James who then had the opportunity to wrap the game up. However, the impressive performance between the posts continued, as Iversen spread himself well to deny him again.

The final whistle sounded to end what had been a battling performance from the Whites, as they made it 10 wins out of their last 11 games, as well as 18 matches unbeaten at Elland Road this season.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Stoke City