Daniel Farke left 'exhausted' after Middlesbrough triumph as Leeds United boss salutes players

Daniel Farke was left "exhausted" after Leeds United's enthralling home win over Middlesbrough. Everything looked rosy for the Whites at half-time as they led 1-0 after a scrappy close range finish from Wilfried Gnonto following excellent work down from the right flank from Daniel James.

But the visitors hit back after the interval, levelling things up in the 54th minute after Max Wober headed into his own after a dangerous Dan Barlaser corner. Farke turned to his substitutes bench midway through the second period, throwing on Manor Solomon and Joel Piroe to try and add an attacking spark.

Piroe was the architect of their second goal, releasing James through on goal. The Wales international drilled an unstoppable right foot shot out of Seny Dieng's reach to spark wild celebration scenes at Elland Road. United wrapped up the points in added on time, with Ao Tanaka squaring for Brenden Aaronson to tap home.

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Farke told Sky Sports: "It was pretty exhausting for myself. We always had to be switched on and to change our position tactically against the ball. It was a game in this league at the top level between two really good sides. Small details always make the difference and you have to be concentrated so I'm pretty exhausted yes!"

It is now eight successive home wins for United as they climbed back to the top of the Championship. He said: "I'm pretty proud of my boys today. First of all, I have to say congratulations to the performance of Middlesbrough because we played an excellent away side. It was such a tight game but I thought we started really well.

"We deserved to lead but for such a tight game we wasted a few opportunities in the first half. It was more or the less first time this season where it allowed us to be a bit more compact and go for the counter attack.

"When you concede an unlucky own goal, it is difficult to turn the tide again but the lads did this in a fantastic way. We played on the front foot and wasted a few chances but you could see the goal coming and how we turned the game. It was excellent how we saw the game out. I'm pretty proud of the performance and the three points."

James scooped the man-of-the-match award on his 100th appearance for the club. Farke, whose won eight of his nine league games against Middlesbrough (D1), his most wins against a single opponent as a Championship manager, said: "He's a brilliant lad and it's great to have him but it was a team effort today. We defended well as a unit and were able to turn the tide again. We concentrated on defending and then played on the front foot again. DJ played an important part today and was excellent."

Sheffield United will have the opportunity to reclaim top spot from the Whites tomorrow when they travel to Millwall.