Kicking off 2025 with back-to-back draws is not the way Leeds United would have wanted or expected to start a New Year. Defending set pieces remains a big issue and cost them four points against Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.

There is no excusing the Hull collapse. They were the architects of their own downfall. Title-winning teams show no mercy when leading 3-1 away from home with less than 10 minutes to go.

"Overall you have to say it's a sign of what we are - we are not the finished product which cruises through this league," acknowledged United boss Daniel Farke after an entertaining Yorkshire derby at the MKM Stadium.

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Illan Meslier has rightly come in for big criticism following his latest high-profile blunder. His decision-making leaves Farke with a big decision to make ahead of their next Championship fixture a week on Sunday.

Yet the statistics underline the Whites are on track to gain promotion. Farke's men are one point clear at the top of the table, having suffered just one defeat in their past 12 league games. They have five more points on the board than they at this stage last season.

All of their promotion rivals won at the weekend to close the gap. Now only three points separate the top four clubs. The title race looks wide open.

But United do have one big advantage over Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland. Their goal difference is effectively worth an extra point. It currently stands at +29, with Burnley their nearest challengers with +22.

There is talk of the Whites bringing in another striker during the January transfer window. Hoffenheim forward Mergim Berisha is the latest player to be linked with a move to Elland Road.

However, United boast the best attack (48 goals) in the division after 26 matches. The quality is there in the forward line to get them over the line. It is now a case of tightening things up at the back again to give them best possible chance of realising their promotion dream.