Star Game
Whites in slip-up as Rovers deal blow
LEEDS UNITED 0
BLACKBURN R 1
Szmodics 82
SAMMIE Szmodics consigned Leeds to their first home defeat since May – and blew a huge hole in Whites’ promotion aspirations.
Leicester’s shock 1-0 reverse at Plymouth on Friday meant victory would have sent Daniel Farke’s side top of the table.
But after Szmodics’s 24th goal of the campaign completed a remarkable smash and grab at Elland Road, Leeds’ destiny is now out of their hands.
“It’s not a time to feel sorry for ourselves,” said Farke, whose side failed to score, despite racking up 19 shots, 12 corners and 75 per cent possession.
“We’re a pretty young side and it is only natural that they will feel the pressure a bit more than an old warrior. It’s an emotional club with a great history, and that makes the shirt pretty heavy.
“But we don’t complain about it. We just have to work on the solutions, and that means being more effective and more clinical.
“We had so many corners and so many wide-area free-kicks and so many balls that went through the box. But if you aren’t clinical then there is always the danger that the opponent will get an opportunity.
“That is especially true when you face a player like Szmodics. He is having an amazing season and someone like that only needs one situation to score. That is the lesson for us today.”
Farke’s pain was Blackburn’s gain. Few could have envisaged this result after Wednesday’s 5-0 mauling at Bristol City, but a dogged and disciplined display hauled Rovers to 49 points and within touching distance of safety.
The scoreline – and performance – was a vindication of the pragmatic approach adopted by manager John Eustace, whose arrival in February saw a distinct shift away from the gung-ho tendencies of predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Dull draws and narrow defeats initially did little to help Blackburn’s cause, but those foundations were the cornerstone of a victory that owed much to defensive rigour.
A back five protected by Joe Rankin-Costello and Sondre Tronstad stifled Leeds’ vast arsen
