Leeds United: Hull City ace stunned by what ‘unbelievable’ Junior Firpo did vs Middlesbrough
Billy Sharp was wowed by Junior Firpo’s “unbelievable” cross to assist Patrick Bamford as Leeds United recorded a vital win at Middlesbrough.
The Hull City striker reacted live on Sky Sports at half-time of the 4-3 victory on 22 April to praise the Whites defender’s left-wing ball in the 18th minute, which was diverted home by Bamford against his former side to put Daniel Farke’s men 2-1 up.
Firpo was fed the ball high on the left by Crysencio Summerville and arched a perfect cross into the box which left the Boro backline standing and allowed the Leeds striker a relatively simple finish.
David Prutton likened it to the other pundit in the studio and said (9pm): “Bamford’s goal comes from a wonderful Junior Firpo cross, very Stewart Downing-esque from that side of pitch, and as a striker you can gamble if the ball’s that good can’t you Billy?”
“Yeah the ball’s unbelievable,” the Tigers forward agreed, “very much like Stewart Downing. I think the keeper’s got to do better but then I think Patrick Bamford does really well to be honest to just get something on it and divert it towards goal. I’m sure he enjoyed that one.”
Patrick Bamford impresses Billy Sharp for Leeds United
Results are ultimately all that matters at this stage of the season with the automatic promotion battle certain to leave two stand-out teams bitterly disappointed.
After dropping eight points from the past nine available to put a top-two finish in major jeopardy Farke simply had to secure a win to get back on track or the play offs would have been almost certain.
There were still issues with the performance defensively, previously such a key strength, as a chaotic first half saw Leeds United concede two goals that could have been avoided if more care had been taken in possession, and another late third went in amid a panicky finish.
Firpo himself was partially at fault for Isaiah Jones’ early opener as he was beaten to a loose ball when unaware of where his opponent was.
But in an attacking sense there was much more like the Whites side which had been taking on all-comers through January and February, during which Firpo had delivered a burst of assists before only adding one in three months before this win.
Crysencio Summerville scored twice, Georginio Rutter won a penalty and Willy Gnonto found the net, albeit with the help of a missed offside.
The vital victory leaves the Whites second in the Championship, a point behind leaders Leicester and one ahead of Ipswich, having played a game more than both, and has to be followed up by more results like this and preferably in less nervy circumstances.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says the Whites are going to “see a lot of” another academy star to join Archie Gray as a regular.
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