Analysis: Leeds head into international break with renewed confidencepublished at 15:54 GMT 7 November
15:54 GMT 7 November
Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
You only had to look at the celebrations inside Elland Road to understand how important this victory was for Leeds.
Noah Okafor's strike takes Leeds into the top half of the table and will help relieve some of the pressure after a peculiar start to the season as they head into the international break.
The Yorkshire outfit had yet to fully appease their supporters so far this term, despite losing just two of their first nine Premier League games.
Their struggles in the final third meant they had won just two matches, with their last victory coming against Newcastle in September, before the visit of a resurgent Tottenham side.
It will not just be the three points that ease any reservations Leeds supporters may have had about their side during the opening months of the campaign, but also the manner in which they completely dominated and outclassed the north Londoners for much of the second half.
In truth, it was a scoreline that flattered Tottenham, with several Leeds players going close as they registered 13 shots during a commanding second-half display.
It is a result that will have the Whites heading into the international break with a spring in their step, while their supporters will already be counting down the days until their team is back in action.
Leeds 1-0 Tottenham: What Farke saidpublished at 15:16 GMT 7 November
15:16 GMT 7 November
Media caption,
Leeds boss Daniel Farke to TNT Sports: "We were pushing to win this game and were relentless. We showed great spirit, commitment and unity. It was a fully deserved win."
On Jayden Bogle's foul on Mathys Tel: "I haven't watched it back. I have heard there were several doubtful situations. A possible hand ball. I just know that Jayden Bogle out of any bad intention. It looked like a coming together.
"It's very unlucky outcome that Mathys is injured and we wish him all the best and he can recover quickly. The last thing Jayden Bogle is a nasty player. He's possibly the softest player in the whole league. I always call him my butterfly, and I can guarantee it was never out of bad intention."
This was just Leeds' second Premier League win against Tottenham across their last 14 meetings (drawn two, lost 10), alongside a 3-1 victory at Elland Road in May 2021.
Leeds are unbeaten across their last nine home Premier League games (won five, drawn four), their longest run at Elland Road in the top-flight since a 15-match stint between January and December 2001.
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🎧 Can Leeds keeper Trafford become England's number one?published at 11:03 GMT 7 November
11:03 GMT 7 November
Media caption,
In this week's edition of The Football Interview, Kelly Somers speaks to Leeds United and England goalkeeper James Trafford.
Can the 24-year-old rise to be England's number one? What was it like being on the bench at Manchester City last season? And why did he choose to move to Elland Road?
Trafford discusses all of these questions in the show, as well as his obsession with Pokemon cards'
Leeds v Tottenham: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:25 GMT 6 November
19:25 GMT 6 November
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Out-of-form Leeds United take on a buoyant Tottenham side that arrive at Elland Road having won their past three matches. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Saturday's game.
How best to judge Leeds' season so far? A glass-half-empty view of only two league wins from nine games and only nine goals scored…or a positive spin on just two defeats from nine matches and a mere eight goals conceded?
Either way, momentum for Daniel Farke's side has definitely slowed of late and their last league victory came almost two months ago when they demolished Newcastle. Since that 4-1 win on 14 September they have scored the joint fewest goals (two), have the second lowest xG - both overall (4.96) and in open play (2.61) -, plus the worst final third passing accuracy (58.4%) of any top-flight side.
How to unlock the goalscoring potential of their side remains an ongoing mission with the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Lukas Nmecha and Harry Wilson yet to find the back of the net. Their win over Newcastle is the only league game they have scored two or more goals in, and only Dominic Calvert-Lewin has netted more than once.
But losing just three of their past 18 league games is a superb achievement and Farke's side will look to continue their impressive streak of not having lost consecutive league games since February and March last season.
Five of their nine matches so far have been away so they will be delighted to return to Elland Road, where they are unbeaten in eight and last lost a league game eight months ago.
While Leeds' form has stalled, the same cannot be said for resurgent Tottenham. Without so much as a goal after four matches of the season or a win after six, three victories on the spin have propelled them from the bottom of the table and above the likes of Leeds into ninth.
Looking far more like a Roberto de Zerbi side, they were utterly dominant against 10-man Crystal Palace last weekend. The 79.4% possession they enjoyed was their second highest in a top-flight match since records began in 2003-04.
Up against the worst defence in the league, their much-maligned attack had a whopping 34 shots, which may have been their most in a top-flight game for a decade but the fact that only two of them went in again shined a light on their lack of clinical edge. They have the lowest xG per shot of any side this term of 0.08.
But they certainly seem to be benefiting from having a more settled side. De Zerbi made 24 changes to his starting XI across their first seven games of this season but has made just three since they picked up their first league win of the season against Coventry.
Sutton's predictions: Leeds v Tottenhampublished at 18:27 GMT 6 November
18:27 GMT 6 November
Tottenham always seem to do well against Leeds United - they have only lost one of their past 15 meetings in the Premier League, going back almost 25 years.
I am a little bit of a believer that some teams always do well, or badly, against certain opposition or on certain grounds.
I had the same as a player when I had bogey teams or stadiums, as well as lucky ones. For example, while I always used to score against Everton at Goodison Park, I always had a stinker at Highfield Road, Coventry's old home, despite getting plenty of goals against them in home games for Blackburn.
So, I am definitely not going for Leeds to win this - but do I back Tottenham to win again and continue their good run?
Roberto de Zerbi's side have rocketed up the table on the back of three wins in a row, although they were helped out a lot by Jean-Philippe Mateta's red card in their victory over Crystal Palace last time out.
Tottenham are flying at the moment, and their confidence is up - we are seeing a bit of a Spurs swagger for the first time in a long while. So, while I don't think they will make it four wins in a row, I don't see them being beaten, either.
It's likely to be a very tight game. Leeds were a bit unlucky to lose to Bournemouth last week, but their lack of goals is becoming an issue.
'Vibes' will be key at Elland Roadpublished at 16:06 GMT 6 November
16:06 GMT 6 November
Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope from BBC Radio Leeds are once again joined by Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix for a weekend episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet as Leeds prepare to face Tottenham.
Buchan has nerves for Leeds as the early kick-off may hinder the "vibes" inside of Elland Road.
And Pope suggests a big win against Spurs would help reboot Daniel Farke's season.
"A must win for vibes," said Pope.
"Not because the job is on the line. It is vibes what's needed, and that's why the win is important."
Farke may count his lucky stars that his job isn't on the line as Marcelo Bielsa and Sam Allardyce's final games as the Leeds boss came in a defeat against Tottenham in February 2022 and May 2023.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Who made Tuchel's England squad?published at 10:15 GMT 6 November
10:15 GMT 6 November
Image source, Getty Images
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his squad for November's matches against Croatia and Spain.
Key talking points include no Cole Palmer again, no Phil Foden, no Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and a return for Ben White, while Fulham's Josh King is included.
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Leeds United), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Marc Guehi (Man City), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Inter Milan), Ben White (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jobe Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Josh King (Fulham), James Garner (Everton), Elliot Anderson (Man City), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea).
Farke on fitness latest, Trafford's confidence and team's winless runpublished at 15:20 GMT 5 November
15:20 GMT 5 November
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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Elland Road (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Farke confirmed Joe Rodon has returned to full team training following his extended period on the sidelines, while Noah Okafor and Anton Stach are "major doubts" for Saturday's game, with both having missed training this week due to injury.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered a minor setback with his foot injury, but the Leeds boss is "carefully optimistic" the striker will return to training on Friday.
James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson are both available after recovering from knocks.
Farke praised Sean Longstaff's recent performances, saying he has "looked sharp" and has been unlucky not to score.
James Trafford will "remain in goal" for the match against Spurs, despite his mistake last week, with the German insisting the young goalkeeper must "not lose confidence" or change his game.
Farke insisted he is not nervous about Leeds' winless run and the squad remain calm and confident. He also reiterated that the club's immediate target is to "reach 40 points as quickly as possible".
On rumours surrounding Calvert-Lewin's contract, the manager refused to comment, but described the forward as an "important player" for the side.
He acknowledged Tottenham's attacking quality and their ambitions of qualifying for Europe: "You can't choose, you have to adapt to challenges. Don't have to speak about their quality, especially in offence when you look at what they can spend. All the chances to fight for Europe but we want to reduce their chances on Saturday."
Farke said there is "no coincidence" behind Leeds' record in early kick-offs, but pointed to the club's previous struggles in relegation battles as a factor.
He admitted the atmosphere is "not that easy to replicate" during a lunchtime match, but stressed the importance of supporters: "It's our responsibility to fire them up, this is what we try to do."
Europe is 'delusion' - survival is the goalpublished at 09:09 GMT 5 November
09:09 GMT 5 November
Leeds United fan Lewis Deighton has been speaking to BBC Sport about a recent dip in form and why maintaining Premier League status is the priority over aiming for Europe: "I try to stay level-headed, but has Daniel Farke taken us as far as he can?
"Supporters need to remember where Leeds United are. I still think on paper this squad is a lot better than the results we're churning out.
"On paper we are still strong outsiders for Europe qualification.
"Supporters need to remember that is not the goal, the goal is to maintain Premier League status.
"That is the goal for three or four years. You need a few years to establish yourself in the Premier League.
"I want to stress again that Leeds United's goal is not to beat as many teams as possible, but it is to lose as little as possible.
"People don't like hearing that, but that is where we are.
"The overall goal of the club is to maintain Premier League status, which is anywhere between ninth and 17th.
"In terms of small club mentality, I don't get that.
"Are we dealing with mentality or are we dealing with Leeds United, which is a big club and a huge institution in English football, and the history of Leeds should mean they should come up from the Championship and be back in the Champions League within two seasons?
"That is delusion.
"Brighton are better than Leeds, Bournemouth are better than Leeds. These are clubs that have come up and built slowly year-on-year.
"That is what we want for Leeds United. That is modern football."
Listen to more from Deighton by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here
Gossip: Leeds eye January move for Elliottpublished at 07:34 GMT 5 November
07:34 GMT 5 November
Leeds United could sign Liverpool's 23-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott on a permanent deal in January, as Valencia prepare to terminate the Englishman's loan spell. (Football Insider), external
Bogle wants Leeds to take 'next step'published at 18:09 GMT 4 November
18:09 GMT 4 November
Media caption,
Leeds United full-back Jayden Bogle said the Whites cannot take their Premier League status for "granted" as the season progresses.
It has been a stop-start 2026-27 campaign so far for Daniel Farke's side as Leeds sit 12th in the top flight.
However, Bogle believes the west Yorkshire club belongs in the Premier League.
"You ask any player in the squad, they will tell you Leeds belong in the Premier League," said Bogle.
"But because of that, we can't take that for granted and sort of expect to stay here.
"It is still the second season [in the Premier League], so we still have a massive challenge on our hands."
Although Leeds remained unbeaten in their opening four competitive games of the season, they have failed to win in their last five games in the Premier League.
Their last longest winless streak was from 10 February 2026 to 21 March 2026, a run of six games.
"A draw can sometimes be seen as a negative result," Bogle added.
"When we're dominating games, then on top of games and those games end in a draw for us as players, it is frustrating, but it is down to us to put that right and turn those draws into wins."
The 26-year-old full-back believes he is playing his best football in his career so far, but wants the club to aim for the "next step".
He said: "For the rest of the season, it is about us kicking on now. You know what the fans want and what the club is. That gets instilled into you."
Image source, Getty Images
