National media spot Daniel Farke's reaction to Middlesbrough win and rave about Leeds United ace

Daniel Farke maintained his superb record against Middlesbrough as Leeds United recorded a 3-1 win at Elland Road to move back to the top of the Championship.

Goals either side of half-time from Wilfried Gnonto, Daniel James and Brenden Aaronson secured the Whites' eighth consecutive home win. It is their longest winning run on their own turf since 2009.

James marked his 100th appearance for the club in style by getting on the scoresheet and claiming the man-of-the-match award. His international and club teammate, Ethan Ampadu, also made a welcome return to action in the closing stages.

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Here is what the national media made of an enthralling Elland Road clash:

Dave Craven - The Mirror

Dan James marked his ton in style to spare Max Wober’s blushes and continue Leeds’ remarkable home run. In his 100th United game, Wales winger James’ 74th minute winner sent Daniel Farke’s side back top of the Championship. And no one was happier than Wober, whose 54th minute headed own goal looked like gifting fifth-placed Middlesbrough a share of the spoils.

The Austrian left-back scored his first United goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Derby. But he looked like quickly turning from hero to villain tonight when flicking a Boro corner at the near post past team-mate Illan Meslier.

Luckily, James, who had also created Willy Gnonto’s 14th minute opener, was on hand to rescue him and secure Leeds an eighth straight Elland Road victory. Just moments after wasting a glorious effort, with a tame shot straight at Boro’ keeper Seny Dieng, the ex-Manchester United flier fired in his fourth goal of the season.

Farke said: “It was great for DJ [to score] on a special day for him. He’s a key player for us. And it was a top-class finish. He’s had some criticism but he’s always open to develop and improve - and often scores at crucial times for us."

David Coverdale - Daily Mail

Daniel Farke can play it down all he likes, but his Leeds side further showed last night that they are the team to topple in the Championship.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder caused a stir at the weekend when he claimed Farke's men were 'miles ahead' of his own promotion hopefuls. But while Farke was quick to rubbish Wilder's remarks, Leeds proved his rival right on Tuesday night with the way they beat play-off contenders Middlesbrough to return to the Championship summit at the expense of the Blades.

Late goals from Daniel James and Brenden Aaronson sealed their eighth-straight home win after Max Wober's own goal had cancelled out Willy Gnonto's early opener. And the Whites are now two points clear of Wilder's Blades, who have a game in hand at Millwall on Wednesday night, and three ahead of third-placed Burnley, who were surprisingly held at home by Derby.

Increasingly, Leeds look poised for a Premier League return after the pain of last season's play-off final defeat. Certainly, their supporters are beginning to believe, such is how they ironically sang, 'Leeds are falling apart again' at full-time – the tune opposition fans gleefully chant their way whenever they slip up.

'We would love to bring the joy of promotion to the supporters,' said Farke. 'It was a heartbreaking end last season, but we are on a good path and hopefully we can keep going.

'We played against an excellent side tonight and we fully deserved to win. We wanted to make Middlesbrough suffer and that is what they had to do. I am very happy.'

Martin Hardy - The Times

When the third goal from Brenden Aaronson arrived that guaranteed Leeds would be going top of the Championship, Daniel Farke danced down the touchline and punched the air so much his hair jiggled.

When the teams met at Elland Road in August, in the Carabao Cup, Middlesbrough had left with a 3-0 win and Elland Road was filled with jeers. Leeds were losing games and players back then.

It has not been easy to get a team defeated in the play-off final a season after relegation to get going again. Farke’s exuberance spoke of his relief. He was still punching the air when he walked to greet his players at full-time. No one was afforded a bigger hug from the boss than Daniel James. He was outstanding, creating the first goal, and scoring the second, with the game level and in the balance in the closing stages, before Aaronson’s clincher.

If this was a battle between two flying little wingers in James and Ben Doak, on-loan from Liverpool, then the flag with James’ face next to the words, ‘The King of Wales’ told you who emerged victorious. Much of what Leeds did well had James at its heart.