Dan James' first-half goal was enough to give promotion-chasing Leeds United a win over struggling Stoke City at Elland Road.
It was Leeds' 10th win in 11 league games, but they had to withstand pressure from the relegation-threatened side in the second half, with Ben Pearson being sent off in the closing stages and the game ended with 10 men.
Second-placed Ipswich came from behind to beat Bristol City, leaving Daniel Farke's side third in the Championship standings, two points behind Tractor Boys and five points clear of leaders Leicester. It made a difference.
Stoke remain third from bottom, having lost seven of their last nine games.
Leeds had the upper hand from the start, but were denied an early penalty as keeper Daniel Iversen appeared to clip James as the forward attempted a weak backpass from Ki-Jana Hoever. It was a shame.
The home side continued to attack and created two chances in quick succession, with Patrick Bamford curling a low shot past Georginio Luther's through ball to Iversen and then heading Connor Roberts' cross from the right over the bar. Ta.
Iversen then blocked two attempts by James, but was finally defeated after 30 minutes.
James linked up with Rutter near the right edge of the penalty area, evaded Linden Gooch and Wouter Berger and helped Stoke defender Ben Willmott deflect before firing into the far corner of the goal.
Leeds keeper Illan Meslier was called on before the interval to tip over Lewis Baker's long-range shot and Stoke improved significantly after the restart.
There were anxious moments for the hosts as Meslier made another save to deny Baker and Tyrese Campbell's shot before Hoover's first shot went wide after meeting Gooch's cross.
Leeds threatened on the counter-attack, with substitute Mateo Josef rounding Iversen, but he was thwarted by Wilmot's goal-line clearance.
Stoke's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Pearson, also a substitute, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for being pushed by James off the ball.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
“I'm very proud. For me, this is the best win of 2024 because everyone expects us to win this home game and sometimes the spotlight shines on us.
“We didn't lose our form against Huddersfield, but the draw after nine wins took a dip in results.The next game is just two and a half days away, and we're playing against a team that's going to give it their all,'' he said, opposing relegation.
“Everyone expects us to beat every opponent at Elland Road and it should be an easy win against a team that is not in the best position in the league, but at the stadium it wasn't this explosion, it was a little bit like that. It's similar.''The game against Leicester was a time when everyone was giving it their all.
“In this type of game, it’s important for us to really dig deep and squeeze out the results.”
Stoke City head coach Stephen Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:
“We've shown very good signs of what the team should be like. We've come through tough times, Leeds put us under pressure, especially in the first half, but we didn't give in. We stood tall. .
“And in the second half we played really well, won the ball, had a lot of possession, had some great chances, but unfortunately we didn't have enough to score one of them and get the equalizing goal. Ta.
“I think the players deserved something from this game. If there's ever a way to lose a football game, this was probably it. We showed resilience and character.
“That should give us confidence. If we continue to play like that, we'll be fine.”
lineup
leeds
formation 4-2-3-1
- 1meslier
- 33Roberts
- 14Rodon
- FourAmpadu
- twenty fiveByramReplacementFirpoin 88 minutesminutes
- 44GruevI made a reservation in 90 minutes.
- 8KamalaReplacementgrayin 87 minutesminutes
- 20james
- twenty fourRutterReplacementpiroein 71 minutesminutes
- TensomervilleReplacementGnontin 80 minutesminutes
- 9banfordReplacementjosephin 71 minutesminutes
substitute
- 3Firpo
- Fivecreswell
- 6cooper
- 7piroe
- twenty twogray
- 28Darlow
- 29Gnont
- 30Gerhard
- 49joseph
stoke
formation 4-3-3
- 1Iversen
- 17Heufel
- FiveRose
- 16Wilmot
- 2gooch
- 28LaurentBooked in 37 minutes
- 6BurgerReplacementpearsonin 54 minutesminutesBooked in 86 minutes
- 8bakerReplacementhugin 84 minutesminutes
- 42manhoofReplacementHaksabanovitchin 78 minutesminutes
- 14ennisReplacementcampbellin 54 minutesminutes
- twenty twoPeReplacementCunha Vidigalin 78 minutesminutes
substitute
- Fourpearson
- 7Cunha Vidigal
- Tencampbell
- 13Bonham
- 20Haksabanovitch
- twenty fivehug
- 26Clerk
- 27Lelis
- 35row
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 36,118
live text
-
Game over, Leeds United 1, Stoke City 0.
-
End of the second half, Leeds United 1, Stoke City 0.
-
Attempt saved. Josh Laurent (Stoke City) took a right-footed shot from the center of the box that was saved into the bottom right corner. Supported by Tyrese Campbell.
-
Illan Meslier (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defence.
-
Foul on Luke Cundle (Stoke City).
-
Ilya Guluev (Leeds United) was shown a yellow card for a serious foul.
-
Foul by Ilya Guluev (Leeds United).
-
Luke Cundle (Stoke City) wins a free kick in defence.
-
Attempt saved. Daniel James (Leeds United) took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it was saved in the center of the goal. Assisted by Joel Pirouet with a through pass.
-
Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right.
-
Foul by Linden Gooch (Stoke City).
-
Substitute, Leeds United. Junior Firpo replaces Sam Byram.
-
Substitute, Leeds United. Archie Gray replaces Glen Kamara.
-
Second yellow card for Ben Pearson (Stoke City).
-
Daniel James (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul on Ben Pearson (Stoke City).
-
Attempt failed. Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) took a right-footed shot from the left of the box, but it went just wide of the target. Supported by Daniel James.
-
Substitution, Stoke City. Luke Cundle replaces Lewis Baker.
-
Corner, Leeds United. Ki-Jana Hoever conceded a goal.
-
Substitute, Leeds United. Wilfried Gnont replaces Crisencio Somerville.