Dan James netted a wonder goal for Leeds United as they took one step closer to an immediate Premier League return. It came during an action-packed game against Hull City, with two Leeds players also seen arguing over a penalty decision.
James, who had missed a penalty during Wales’ crushing defeat to Poland last week, guided a sensational strike into the empty Hull net from the best part of 50 yards out. Tigers goalkeeper Ryan Allsop had gone up for a set-piece in added time, with Hull looking to snatch a point after falling behind to Crysencio Summerville’s 88th-minute penalty.
There had been controversy surrounding the penalty, not only because the decision to award it from referee Josh Smith appeared a soft one, but also because Summerville and team-mate Joel Piroe were arguing over who should take it. Piroe had the ball in his hands and had looked as if he was going to take the spot kick, until Summerville pulled rank and stepped up instead.
Despite the added pressure, Summerville remained calm and slotted the ball beyond a helpless Allsop in the Hull goal. The penalty made it 2-1 to Leeds, with Summerville pressed on his decision to take the ball off Piroe after the match.
On the incident, Summerville told Sky Sports: “I felt good in the game, we had a few chances and I thought ‘yeah this one is mine.’ So I took it and I’m happy with it.”
He added: “[The win is] very big. We’re undefeated at home, we’re good at home. I said the point away at Watford was very important and now to take three points, it’s amazing.”
James said: “It’s a massive win for us tonight. Going on Friday and then the Monday after internationals is obviously very tough. Some of us arrived back on Wednesday morning and we only had a few days before the first game. I thought we dug in the other night to get that draw and I thought we were absolutely brilliant tonight to go and win the game.”
It came at the end of a pulsating day of promotion drama in the Championship, with all three of the automatic hopefuls taking three points. Alongside Leeds, title contenders Leicester City also won, as Enzo Maresca’s side banished their recent demons with a comeback victory over Norwich City in the day’s early game.
But it was at Portman Road where the most drama was, as Ipswich Town – who were also forced to come from behind – netted in the 97th minute of their match with Southampton. It’s a win that keeps alive hopes of a remarkable promotion to the top flight for the Tractor Boys, just 12 months after they were promoted to the second tier as League One runners-up.
