Bristol City 0-1 Leeds United: Wilfried Gnont scores as Leeds move into second place in the Championship

Leeds United continued their form in 2024 with victory over Bristol City, moving them into second place in the Championship.

Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary made a number of important saves in the first half to keep his team in the game, including denying Georginio Rutter's shot from just a few yards out.

Glen Kamara came closest to doubling Leeds' score minutes after Gnont's goal, but his shot went wide.

In comparison, Leeds keeper Illan Meslier had nothing to do all night as in-form Bristol City's league winless run stretched to six games, but Daniel Farke's side had just five games to play. He has won consecutive games.

Leeds last won five league games in a row in July 2020, the season they won promotion to the Premier League.

Victory at Ashton Gate moved them from fourth place into automatic promotion for the first time this season, ahead of Saturday's opponents Ipswich and Southampton.

In contrast, Bristol City's last league win came on Boxing Day and they still sit mid-table after a sound loss to a rampaging Leeds, and they wonder how they could have deprived themselves of a bigger point difference. You'll wonder why it wasn't there.

There was a bright spot for the hosts when Cameron Pring headed the ball to Naki Wells, but a poor first touch from the striker led to him losing possession and his shot going wide.

But a chance in the 11th minute of the first half was Robins' best, as they were given no time for possession and were denied the ball numerous times, allowing Leeds to advance at will.

The excellent Crisencio Somerville should have scored after picking off George Tanner in midfield. With O'Leary out of action, the Dutchman went for a chip, but the keeper jumped high and cleared his shot.

Somerville had another shot, Rutter intercepting a pass from Rob Dickie and darting into the box, but O'Leary punched it over the bar.

Patrick Bamford then flicked the ball past Zach Viner and met Rutter for the best chance of the first half, but once again the Robins keeper reacted quickly and went low to keep the game scoreless.

Bristol City have won just one of their last 17 meetings with Leeds and their luck ran out two minutes after the restart.

Junior Firpo and Bamford combined to find Gnont, who had space to run on the edge of the box, but O'Leary dived the other way and fired into the corner.

A few minutes later Leeds made it 3-2 again and should have taken a 2-0 lead, but Kamara's shot took just a touch and rolled just wide of the post.

The hosts scored an equalizing goal from almost nothing when Anis Mehmeti pounced on a loose ball in the box and Leeds keeper Meslier scrambled back to deny the ball. It was the first and only real save of the night.

Somerville, who deserved to have their name on the scoresheet, had another shot in the closing stages that crossed the goal, but it didn't matter as they already had three points.

Bristol City manager Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

“I think they're the best team we've played since I've been here.

“The disappointment, the frustration probably comes from our level of performance. Despite the lack of results lately, we went into the game knowing that we were a strong team and we left the game knowing that we were a strong team. But I can't do that tonight.''

“The level we are capable of, and what we have shown recently, was not only that.

“If we make a small mistake that leads to a big counterattack, or if we have the speed and direction and the opponent counters quickly, it changes the momentum a lot.

“All of a sudden, you get anxious, you get nervous, you panic a little bit, and your fundamentals have dropped to the point where you can't match a team like this.”

Leeds manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:

“I think our away performance was almost perfect.

“It probably took us 10 or 15 minutes to get into this game, but there were a lot of things I liked today – the pressing, the counter-pressing, the possession, the transition moments, the fighting spirit.

“I think we were very dominant, created from more or less possible situations, transition moments, set-pieces, possession and so many chances from the middle of the wings.

“The only thing I have to criticize is our efficiency in front of goal. It's an ongoing theme. I'm a bit frustrated today. I'll have something to celebrate and cheer for next May. Because if you want to do that, you have to learn to score.''We need to show more responsibility in front of the goal because we missed the chance to score.

“Even today, in a vacuum, they had one big chance. If it wasn't for Ilan Meslier, who made a top-class save, we would have been sitting in the dressing room talking about one-on-ones and how I couldn't understand why you were leaving me.'' Just one point. ”