Leeds beat Tottenham 1-0 as Okafor scores late winner
Leeds secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Elland Road thanks to a late goal from substitute Noah Okafor, while a first-half challenge by Jayden Bogle went unpunished.
Leeds United earned a 1-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur after substitute Noah Okafor scored in the 79th minute, just 97 seconds after entering the match. The goal gave Leeds three points and moved them above Tottenham into eighth place in the Premier League table.
The match was marked by a controversial incident in the first half when Leeds right wing-back Jayden Bogle tackled Tottenham forward Mathys Tel on the Achilles. Referee John Brooks awarded a foul but did not issue a card. After a four-minute VAR review, the decision was upheld as a "reckless" challenge, and no on-field review was ordered.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean later said the tackle was "100 per cent a red" card, while former England captain Steven Gerrard argued that a review could have led to a dismissal. Leeds manager Daniel Farke described Bogle as "normally probably the softest player in the whole league" and suggested the incident was an unlucky outcome.
Tottenham coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed confidence in the officiating, stating he had "big confidence in the referee" and that the decision would not have changed the team's focus on performance.
In added time, Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford saved a header from Jan Paul van Hecke, preserving the win. Tottenham's three-game winning streak ended, and Leeds' manager Daniel Farke received a booking for dissent, resulting in a one-match touchline ban.
The result leaves Leeds in eighth place, while Tottenham dropped to tenth as they prepare for their next league fixture after the international break.