The Championship title race is heading towards an almighty climax as a Crysencio Summerville-inspired Leeds United moved back into the automatic promotion places with a barnstorming victory over Middlesbrough.

Daniel Farke’s side simply had to win on Teesside and did so with a flourish, largely thanks to their young Dutch forward, whose pace and skill terrorised Boro’s defence all evening.

The 22-year-old, who has been extensively scouted by a number of Premier League clubs this season, including Chelsea and Newcastle United, scored twice and his speed and energy fuelled Leeds’ exciting attacking display.

Having scored his first goal from the penalty spot, the second was a sensational piece of skill, combined with a rocket of a strike. He also delivered an assist, with a clever pass behind the defensive line, as Leeds leapfrogged Ipswich Town into second place, one point behind leaders Leicester City.

The travelling support had experienced the full range of emotions and the way the players and staff celebrated after the final whistle illustrated how significant they felt this victory was.

Leeds have played a game more than the other contenders, but the win ensures the Championship promotion race will head into the penultimate weekend in a three-way fight for the Premier League prize.

Leeds seemed to have timed their promotion charge to perfection. With long-time leaders Leicester starting to show signs of pressure and Ipswich also looking vulnerable, Farke’s men looked irresistible, right up until the moment they were in position to move ahead of their promotion rivals.

Then came the jitters. A defeat at Coventry, a goalless draw at home with Sunderland and another shock defeat by Blackburn Rovers, meant Leeds were in danger of letting the top two slip away from them again.

That made this performance and result all the more impressive. Middlesbrough had been unbeaten in nine before losing here and were about as dangerous a side as they could have faced in the Championship on current form.

“It was a great advert for Championship football,” said Farke. “We have had some unlucky results in recent weeks and to concede so early, to come back from that was a great mentality from the players.

“It’s too early to analyse the season, let’s wait until it’s over. We have had some criticism and a drier spell in front of goal but we accepted it and backed our front-four and we have to give credit to them today. They have momentum back on our side. I have never given up, I will never give up because this league is so unpredictable.”

When the visitors went a goal down early on, nerves jangled. It was a really good goal from a Boro perspective, Finn Azaz’s, first-time pass slicing through the Leeds centre-backs for Emmanuel Latte Lath. Although he was denied by goalkeeper Illan Meslier, the loose ball fell kindly for Isaiah Jones to stroke into the empty net.

Farke slumped into his chair in the dugout, but his players puffed their chests out and were level quickly.

Georginio Rutter did well to get the wrong side of Boro right back Anfernee Dijksteel and it was a silly tackle from the defender inside the box. Summerville smashed home the penalty.

Leeds were in front minutes later, Junior Firpo’s cross skilfully guided in by Patrick Bamford.

The two goals should have given Leeds control of the game but they could not maintain it, Latte Lath scoring a fine individual effort from the edge of the area.

Boro, though, were behind again before the break, Archie Gray and Summerville combining to set up Wilfried Gnonto. The goal would not have stood in the Premier League, Gnonto clearly offside before he finished past Seny Dieng but that is where Leeds could still be heading.

“You expect an offside to be given,” said Boro boss Michael Carrick. “I expect there are a few other teams not happy about that one, it’s so obviously offside. It’s a huge moment in the game.”

Boro remained a threat in the second half, but Summerville’s brilliance, cutting inside and rifling a shot into the far corner,  just after the hour mark gave them a two-goal cushion.

They needed it too, Latte Lath setting up a tension filled finale with a looping header which caught Meslier in no man’s land. Leeds, though, held firm and will march on to the final two games of the season together.