How a double substitution turned Leeds' season around
[Getty Images] If Leeds are able to retain their top-flight status, the majority of supporters are likely to point to wins against relegation rivals Wolves , Burnley and West Ham as the defining moments of the season. But Daniel Farke is almost certain to share a different view. The 49-year-old is more likely to point to a 3-2 defeat by Manchester City in late November as the moment his side's fortunes changed - and the numbers back it up.
After goals from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol put City 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, Leeds were left fearing the worst. That was until Farke made an almighty roll of the dice, summoning Dominic Calvert-Lewin and defender Jaka Bijol from the bench to switch from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2. It was a tactical switch that allowed Leeds an extra man in midfield and, crucially, offered extra support to summer signing Calvert-Lewin in attack.
Although Leeds saw a point snatched from their grasp when Foden scored a stoppage‑time winner, the performance - and a new tactical blueprint - offered both the club and Farke a road to redemption. Leeds bounced back from the defeat against Pep Guardiola's side by taking four points from a possible six against Chelsea and reigning champions Liverpool in the next two games. "He was under real pressure, there was a lot of talk about his job - other managers were getting touted - and you felt if he lost against Manchester City he would lose his job," said ex- Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports.
"He didn't win that game but they changed the system that day, played with a lot of promise and since then they've gone on a great run and gone from strength to strength. "The points they've produced since the start of December has been fantastic. " Since then, Leeds have lost only four out of a possible 19 league games - the ninth-best record in the division.
Consequently, Farke is on course to lead a team to Premier League survival for the first team in his career after failing to do so during his time in charge of Norwich.