James seals victory from 45 yards to send Leeds back up to second

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The post-match playlist at Elland Road is becoming the soundtrack to Leeds United’s season. 
Once again, the Kaiser Chiefs’ I Predict A Riot and the Joy Division classic Love Will Tear Us Apart blared out over the tannoy in celebration of another victory. The lyrics to the latter song are of course ironically reworked by Leeds fans with the chorus “Leeds are falling apart”. 
Only Leeds are not falling apart. They are now unbeaten in 15 Championship games since the turn of the year and remain the only side in the EFL yet to lose on home soil this season. This dramatic win, courtesy of late goals from Crysencio Summerville and Dan James, sent Elland Road wild once again and had echoes of the recent 3-1 success over Leicester amid similarly raucous scenes. 
Coach Daniel Farke said: “These home games are priceless and we have to make sure that we create an atmosphere which is second to none. Our supporters did that again and they can enjoy this victory.” 
Summerville fired home from 12 yards in the 88th minute after he was felled by Regan Slater’s clumsy challenge before James’s spectacular long-range in added time added to the drama. 
🎂 The icing on the cake for @LUFC #EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/lJ9WMWdgVA
But Summerville grabbed the ball after Joel Piroe, who had come off the bench four minutes earlier, attempted to assume spot-kick responsibilities. The pair’s team-mates were forced to step in and allow Summerville to fire home, yet Farke was not overly concerned as his men climbed into second spot. 
The Leeds boss added: “Cree Summerville was our taker on the teamsheet, but normally when I bring on Joel Piroe he’s the penalty taker. But I don’t like someone taking a penalty when you have been on the pitch for just 30 seconds. You need to have a few touches and it was definitely the right decision for Cree to take it. It was good for Joel to then get an assist for Dan James’s goal.” 
Tributes were paid ahead of the anniversary of the death of Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were murdered in Istanbul on April 5, 2000, the night before Leeds’s UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray. Hull have a Turkish owner in Acun Ilicali and both clubs made a plea for a united show of sensitivity and respect at Elland Road last night. A joint statement said: “We ask for respect from both sets of supporters throughout the match.” 
When the teams took to the field ahead of kick-off, fans joined together in a minute of applause. With Leicester and Ipswich both winning at home earlier in the day, the pressure was on Farke’s side and they made the breakthrough in the ninth minute. The enigmatic Georginio Rutter found Summerville advancing at pace inside the left channel and he drove forward and hit a shot which Ryan Allsop could only parry. The ball spooned up in the air and to the far post where Sam Byram arrived to bundle the ball home. Cue delirium in the home stands.
The early goal poured confidence into Leeds and they should have doubled their advantage midway through the first half but Patrick Bamford blazed over. 
In the 34th minute, the visitors were level as Tyler Morton broke down the left flank and crossed to the near post where Fabio Carvalho produced a deft finish to fire past Illan Meslier. 
On the stroke of half-time, Leeds went close when Rutter was twice denied by Allsop from close range. Leeds fans howled their disapproval in the 66th minute after being denied what they felt was a clear-cut penalty. Archie Gray went down inside the box under a challenge from Jean Michael Seri but referee Josh Smith was unmoved. At the other end of the field, chances grew scarce for Leeds and Farke replaced Bamford with promising youngster Mateo Joseph. But after Regan Slater fouled Summerville late on, the Dutchman stepped up to score before James fired into an empty net from distance. After a sixth game without a win, Tigers boss Liam Rosenior accepted his side’s play-off hopes are slipping. He said: “It’s a painful one but, if we play like we know we can, then we’ve still got a very good chance of achieving our aims this season. “This was reflective of our season – we haven’t taken the moments from our dominance – but write us off because there’s no pressure. But after that performance, I’ve never been prouder in defeat as a player, coach or manager.”
in the end. It sends them into second, on 86 points. Ipswich on 87. Both of those sides have played 40 games; Leicester, third, are on 85. Three outstanding second-tier teams, only two can go up by rights. Should be a good end to the season. Thanks for following with us. Ross Heppenstall’s match report is above. Cheers.
here’s John Percy.
Plymouth Argyle are set to sack head coach Ian Foster after only three months. Eight defeats in 11 matches and Foster’s departure is expected to be announced imminently #pafc https://t.co/NxgX4EMgxi
Tells James: “that was an unbelievable screamer”. Ha. Charmingly done.
That last goal coming in the eighth minute of extras. Hull have played well and the scoreline is a little harsh on them. But Leeds have got the job done.
… but Leeds are breaking! It’s James down the right wing, the Hull keeper is desperately scrambling back but he’s miles away, James gets his head up and wellies it from just inside the Hull half… and it’s a goal!
Late, late corner from Hull. Keeper’s up… it’s bedlam in that area… keeper’s putting himself about…. 
Will that be enough for Leeds?
Cute penalty, rolls it down the middle. Boy oh boy he would have been for the high jump if he’d missed that one. Piroe, it should be said, among the first to congratulate him.
Penalty. Cut and dried. Summerville drives forward from the inside left berth, tries to get around Slater, who bundles him over inside the area and that is a definite penalty.
Summerville asks, indeed demands, to take the penalty himself… Piroe, the designated taker, looks miffed.
Leeds have had a dozen shots and only four on target. Hull have had just the one effort on target and they scored with it.
James with an electric run and he’s stopped by a heroic tackle by Jones. Leeds want a penalty but the ref has rightly called that a fair challenge. Leeds have to settle for a corner, but can’t do much with it.
Coyle, the captain of Hull, has gone down in pain and is going off. Shame.
Ooh was that the chance? Leeds go very close to the winner. Cross comes in low, Joseph meets it with a cute wee clip…. it bets the keeper… and it hits the post!
And then a few seconds later, Firpo should have scored with a header.
Hull cling on.
Bamford, who had a night to forget, is taken off and Joseph comes on.
Seri booked for chopping down with zero chance or indeed intent of getting the ball.
Archie Gray goes down in the area. Not sure if Jean-Michael Seri touched him or not to be honest but the ref was sure that he didnae so we move on.
There is a nervousness and tension around Elland Road now. Both sides desperate for a victory, both fanbases willing their team on.
A crunching collision between Crysencio Summerville, known to all in the Leeds dressing room as Jimmy, and Tyler Morton, known to all in the Hull dressing room as Jelly Roll. Possibly. Anyway, they are both okay. All was fair and fair. But blimey they did crunch into each other.
Enjoying Hull. Good stuff this. Morton carries it forward with some elan and slips it to a colleague out on the left, Omur, for a curling shot that probably should have been better placed.
Matty Jacob comes on for Hull, serenaded with “he’s one of our own”. He replaces the injured Giles. Looks like a muscle strain. Says Remote GP Tyers. But I mean that he wasn’t like tackled hard or some such.
Rodon surges forward but Tufan trips him from behind and earns a yellow card.
Leeds fans have raised the noise levels in the second half. A continuous chant of ‘we all love Leeds’ is ringing out from the South Stand…
Byram gets to the byline down the right, he crosses, and Bamford leaps to get there. He is not especially close to getting there.
Leeds come out looking like they’ve had a bit of a rocket. They are on the front foot.
Back underway.
still being backed at 4-6 to win this and I can’t argue with that in one sense, but they don’t quite seem at their most connected. Daniel Farke alluded pre-match to the challenges of coming back from international breaks.
Subdued atmosphere amongst the Leeds supporters at half-time. Their team should have gone 2-0 up before Hull equalised. How costly could that Bamford miss prove?
Leeds started impressively and got the early goal via Byram when Hull nodded off at the back. It looked at that point like it should be a routine win for Leeds, and had Bamford scored a sitter a few minutes later it most likely would have been. BUT he didn’t, Hull grew in confidence and equalised and, while Leeds are still heavy favourites, they are not at their best and this could go either way.
Leeds laying siege to the Hull goal but a superb double save from Allsop in the Hull goal has just – JUST – kept it out. Bamford is offside.
Hull defend really well as James barrels down the right and it needs a beefy intervention from Giles at left back.
We have a good game on our hands here. Hull looking up for it and Leeds not quite clicking.
An improbable equaliser! Go’orn Hull. They’ve got forward pretty well in general albeit without looking like they are carrying a massive threat. 
But now Fabio Carvalho has pulled them level.
Philogene’s shot is blocked, Morton gets on the ball and crosses. And this time – Hull have managed to get a body in the box. There’s Fabio Carvalho, ghosting in front of his marker Ampadu, and beating Meslier. 
Here’s Ross: “Now it is the Hull City fans to make themselves heard, while the home stands have gone a little quiet since the visitors equalised.”
A hugely emotional moment in the 24th minute as Leeds fans stand to applaud in honour of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight. The Leeds fans were tragically killed in Istanbul 24 years ago. Leeds fans turn their back on the pitch, as the travelling supporters did at Galatasaray in April 2000.
Applause from all four corners of the ground in memoriam of the Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, murdered in Istanbul on April 5, 2000. The referee is also joining in with the clapping.
 
Patrick Bamford, smashing lad but not, for my money, quite out of the top drawer in front of goal, has just blootered a chance over the crossbar when it looked easier to score. Hull opened up like a can of beans down the left wing, the cross comes in from James, Patrick seems almost surprised that nobody has cut it out but they hadn’t, and he has missed it.
Here’s Ross: “Shocking miss from Bamford but his name is still chanted by the Leeds fans. A sign of his popularity and goalscoring form since the start of the year.”
Really nice move, James the fulcrum of it, very nearly unpicks Hull.
Now it is Gaetano Berardi’s name being belted out in the home stands… a nice moment for the hugely popular former Leeds defender who is back at Elland Road tonight with his family…
Hull are missing a centre forward, it looks like. A couple of times now they have got forward quite well, got the ball in the danger area… and then found nobody there to take advantage.
Billy Sharp, a goal machine at this level, is watching on from the sidelines. A classic “penny for your thoughts” commentary opportunity that Seb Hutchinson JUST about resists. 
Hull having a decent amount of the ball.
There will be words at half time for the Hull defenders. Their keeper saved that shot and then his colleagues all stood around gawping as the Leeds full-back nodded it in. Poor.
Byram’s goal has cranked the atmosphere up a notch but it was Georginio Rutter’s name who was belted out in celebration… his delightful footwork to send Summerville clear epitomised his impact for Leeds this season.
Classy approach play. Rutter drives forward, slips it out to the left and the cross/shot comes in from Summerville. Keeper half parries it but there is Byram, who started the move by winning possession and carried on, to bundle it in at the far post.
More of a shot than cross on reflection from Summerville, on reflection.
Archie Gray, a young man in a hurry both right this minute and in his development, plays a one-two with Daniel James and gets into the box at pace. Fires over.
Amazing atmosphere inside Elland Road and emotional tributes paid to Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight who were brutally murdered in Istanbul on April 5, 2000 when watching Leeds in a UEFA Cup semi-final at Galatasaray.
Hull have the ball, playing it around at the back and then hitting a direct ball down the left. Tufan nearly gets on the end of it, but nah.
Banners being held aloft to honour the memory of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in the South Stand as part of tonight’s tributes to the Leeds United supporters who were killed in Istanbul almost 24 years ago. #lufc pic.twitter.com/O75M1A9Ynk
Hull are in all orange.
voice this evening.
results today, some eye-catchers in there. Poor old Plymouth lost again. I think I know a fan from every current Champ club, you always look out for peoples’ results don’t you? Leeds, well obviously I know a few: brilliant Telegraph Sport colleagues Rob Bagchi and Pippa Field to name but two. The only Hull fan I’ve known, I think, was a bit of a plonker so no question for me as to who’d I rather win tonight. Be great if Leeds could keep up the pressure in a tight three way battle.
are in 9th, their form is not good: just four draws and a defeat in their last five, and four any budding mathematicians reading, that’s four points in the last 15.
Liam Rosenior: “We need a performance after a poor result last time, but what a great place to come and express ourself.”
The Suffolk side played out a classic with Southampton earlier today, a 90+7th minute goal giving them a 3-2 win. That’s about as good as it gets.
Let’s get to it.
Third placed Leeds trail the leaders Ipswich by four points, it’s 83 plays 87. This is Leeds’s game in hand.
Leeds  Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Kamara, Gray; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford. Substitutes  Darlow, Crew, Cresswell, Cooper, Piroe, Anthony, Shackleton, Gelhardt, Joseph. 
Hull  Allsop; Lewie Coyle, Jones, Morton, Giles; Slater, Seri; Philogene, Omur, Tufan; Carvalho. Substitutes  McLoughlin, Ohio, Traore, Sharp, Jacob, Pandur, Christie, Connolly, Zaroury. 
Referee Josh Smith (Lincolnshire)
3⃣ changes for #LEEHUL 👇#hcafc pic.twitter.com/csZbZLcwIf
Junior Firpo replaces Liam Cooper, still no Ilia Gruev:
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI… pic.twitter.com/N9WHHUQomF
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By Rob Bagchi 
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Leeds United’s Championship match against Hull City, one in which the home side will be striving to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 15 in 2024 and also, if they’re lucky, score for a 19th successive league match for the first time since 1970. Leeds scrambled a point from Friday night’s match against Watford, a match in which injuries picked up during the international fortnight persuaded Daniel Farke to break up his central defensive partnership of Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, playing the former in midfield. It wasn’t until he restored it, after Leeds had conceded their first goals from open play all year in the league, that they began to get a grip and grabbed the 85th-minute equaliser and even created a chance that, but for a fine Daniel Bachmann save, might have clinched all three points, however undeservedly.
One would expect Farke to revert today and, if Ilia Gruev is still not fit enough to return in his screening role, come up with an alternative in central midfield rather than at the back, which may mean Archie Gray switching from right-back as he did for the last half hour at Vicarage Road. This is being written before the Ipswich-Southampton game but, after Leicester’s fine comeback against Norwich, a 16th home win of the season, by hook or by crook, is imperative with only six games to go after today.
As for Hull, who have won nine of 18 and put a dent in Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion hopes in his first season as manager with a 2-0 victory at Elland Road, they have gone off the boil at the worst possible time with four draws and Friday’s home defeat by Stoke in their past five matches accelerating their slide out of the play-off places. They have, however, won three of their four away games against fellow teams from the old Three Ridings and have talent to burn, especially in Fabio Carvalho and Anass Zaroury. Liam Delap, though, has been a big loss and it’s touch and go whether he will be back before the end of the season from his knee injury to bolster their chances of a top six finish.