Bristol City 0-1 Leeds United: Willy Gnonto’s goal the difference maker as Daniel Farke’s side pull of ‘perfect away performance’
- Willy Gnonto scored the decisive goal as Leeds defeated Bristol City at Ashton Gate
- Leeds remain nine points behind championship leaders Leicester City
- Who is the biggest winner of the January transfer window? It all kicks off the Transfer Week podcast
Daniel Farke felt his Leeds side had produced a near-perfect away performance as they jumped into second place in the Championship with victory at Bristol City.
Wilfried Gnonto was the match winner at Ashton Gate with a low left-footed shot from 10 yards in the 48th minute after running onto a long ball from Junior Firpo.
Leeds should have won by a bigger margin as they defeated their mid-table opponents, but a combination of Max O’Leary saves and poor finishing kept City in the match.
Farke was delighted with the majority of his side’s performances but admits they will have to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to secure promotion to the Premier League.
He said: “The margin of victory should have been bigger. It was almost the perfect away game.
Willy Gnonto celebrates emphatically after giving Leeds United the lead just after half-time
Glen Kamara sees his effort well saved by Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary
“We were so dominant and created so many chances, but I have to criticize the fact that we didn’t clear them.
‘If we want to celebrate in May, we have to be more clinical.
“We played a good team and they had one very big chance to equalize, with our goalkeeper making a very good save.
“We broke three-on-one situations and couldn’t get the last pass over three yards.
“That has to change. But in all other respects I am so happy with the players.
“It’s great to come second for our players and supporters. It doesn’t mean anything to me with so long to go, but it’s a recognition of how well we’re playing.
“We are playing very well and are doing well. But I know from experience how quickly things can change.”
City had one big chance to equalize on 66 minutes in the second half when substitute Anis Mehmeti met Tommy Conway’s pass and saw his low shot saved by Illan Meslier’s second attempt.
Daniel Farke was pleased with his team putting in what he called a ‘perfect away performance’
Leeds should have won the match by a more convincing scoreline, but Bristol’s keeper Max O’Leary made a number of strong saves
But O’Leary made fine saves to beat the lively Crysencio Summerville three times, as well as Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford.
The home team occasionally looked at the pace and head coach Liam Manning had no complaints.
He said: “First of all I have to give credit to Leeds for being the best team we have played against, but tonight we were not at the level we are capable of.
“Fundamental things went wrong, like being caught out of possession. They closed off space all over the pitch extremely well.
“I’m frustrated because I know we can be so much better. The players seemed tense after making mistakes.
“Max O’Leary has been great for us all season and again he was great at keeping us in the game.
Farke admitted his side will have to be more ruthless in front of goal if they are to secure promotion to the Premier League.
“We had the chance at half-time to put things right and the message was to start doing the simple things well. Then we gave in after a few minutes and it was a tough night for us.
“We have played against the top and Leeds were the best. I expect them to be up to a promotion challenge.
“There have been a lot of games played recently because of our FA Cup run, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse. We have to work extra hard to close the gap with the top teams.” But honestly, this was a zero character performance and the boys are just as frustrated as I am.”