Daniel Farke relieved to see Leeds secure crucial victory despite injuries

Leeds boss Daniel Farke revealed several of his players had been struggling during his side’s 3-1 win against Hull, which lifted them back into the Sky Bet Championship’s automatic promotion places.

Sam Byram’s early header for Leeds was deservedly cancelled out by Hull’s on-loan Liverpool forward Fabio Carvalho and the visitors went on to out-play their hosts for long periods in the first half.

Leeds created the better chances, but failed to hit top form and breathed a sigh of relief when Crysencio Summerville converted a late penalty.

GETTTTTTT IIIIIINNNNNNN!!!! SUMMMERVILLLEEEEEEE FROM THE SPOTTTTTT!!! pic.twitter.com/64BhTPNKw3

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 1, 2024

Daniel James scored from fully 40 yards into an empty net with virtually the last kick after Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop had gone up for a stoppage-time corner to give the scoreline a lop-sided look.

Farke, without injured trio Willy Gnonto, Illia Gruev and Connor Roberts, said: “It was a complicated game for us due to many reasons. For many of my players it was the third game in six days on international duty.

“Then we had many players on the pitch with problems. Glen Kamara played while ill. He had a cold, but we were thin on central midfield options, so I wanted him to go through this game.

“Cry Summerville had some problems, Joe Rodon couldn’t train because he had a back spasm. He played with pain-killers.

Crysencio Summerville conveerted a late penalty after being brought down by Hull

“Sam Byram told me at half-time: ‘Boss I can’t sprint anymore.’ I told him 80 per cent then, you have to keep going.

“So many problems today and the main problem was we played a really good side. A really good possession side. If you analyse their results against the top sides, they