MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Noah Okafor scored twice in the first 30 minutes as Leeds United beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday to move six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
It was the first time Leeds had won a league match at Old Trafford since 1981, and the Yorkshire club moved up to 16th place out of 20 teams.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke said: “I’m tired and relieved, but I’m proud of the players.” “It was a great performance. We’re at a crucial point in the season, so we have to hold our nerve and stick to our plan.”
Manchester remained in third place, but missed the chance to overtake Aston Villa, who are tied on points.
Leeds took the lead and almost scored in the second minute, but Sene Lammers made a fine save from Dominic Calvert-Lewin at close range.
But the pressure paid off two minutes later as Okafor scored with a brilliant side-footed effort after everyone had missed Jayden Bogle’s deep cross from the right.
Leeds dominated United for the first 30 minutes, and the second goal arrived in the 29th minute. The ball was half-cleared by Okafor and his first shot from outside the box deflected slightly past Lamaze and into the far corner.
United caretaker manager Michael Carrick has never lost at home since replacing Rubem Amorim in mid-January, but his task was made even more difficult when Lisandro Martinez was sent off 10 minutes into the second period for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair.
But the ten men held on in a lively end-to-end encounter and pulled one back after 68 minutes when Casemiro headed home past Karl Darlow from Ruben Fernandes’ cross.
Both teams had further chances in a thrilling final 20 minutes. Two United shots missed the goal line and Leeds failed to capitalize on a number of counter-attacks, but neither could find the back of the net again.
“The game didn’t start very well,” Carrick said. “We just didn’t have any rhythm or click.
“I was happy with how the second half went, but it was more difficult when we were down.”
Meanwhile, Falke was delighted to have taken all three points from one of Leeds’ strongest rivals at such a crucial stage in the Test campaign.
“Winning is always good for the mood and confidence. It’s also good for the table,” he said.
“We need a few more points and tonight we are close to three points. Nothing has been achieved yet. We have to stay humble, grounded and hungry to make sure we get as many points as possible.”
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