A monumental night for Leeds - what does it mean in survival scrap?
A memorable victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford has handed Leeds United a priceless lifeline in their quest for Premier League survival. With their 2-1 win on Monday night , they moved to 36 points to open a six-point buffer between them and the relegation zone with six matches left. Their first league win against Manchester United since 2002 and a first at Old Trafford since 1981 sparked huge celebrations at the final whistle, as manager Daniel Farke and his players soaked up the support from their vocal travelling fans.
"Tired. Relieved. Proud of the boys," Farke summed up his emotions after the win, which was their first at Old Trafford in 19 visits.
The Leeds manager told Sky Sports: "We are in the crunch time of the season and it's important to keep your nerves and stick to your plan. "It's the first win in Premier League history here for forty years. It's amazing, and of course a big step forward.
" For a club that have been flirting dangerously with relegation for much of the season, the triumph over Michael Carrick's side felt like more than three points. While their top-flight status is far from guaranteed despite the win, what it does is allow Leeds to breathe a little easier while piling the pressure on fellow strugglers Tottenham , West Ham and Nottingham Forest . "It's a monumental night for Leeds United ," former Manchester United defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
"Farke will have been nervous about the fact that Leeds were going perilously close to relegation. This victory goes a long way to securing their Premier League status. " It was Noah Okafor who stepped up with two first-half goals to secure a much-needed win, as Casemiro's 69th-minute goal proved mere consolation for Carrick's side, who played most of the second half with 10 men .