Lukas Nmecha’s added-time winner for Leeds flattens Fulham

Lukas Nmecha stepped off the bench to fire a stoppage-time winner as Leeds marked their tribute to Terry Yorath with a valuable win The striker, an 81st-minute replacement for Jayden Bogle, latched on to Ethan Ampadu’s cross in the first minute of added time to clinch victory, which keeps Leeds eight points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Leeds dominated after an even first half, but by failing to take their chances it appeared in-form Fulham would extend their unbeaten run to seven league matches.

With the Leeds great Eddie Gray, on his 78th birthday, in the stands as usual, the home side wore black armbands in honour of Yorath, who died this month aged 75, with a minute’s applause for the former Wales midfielder and manager before kick-off. Yorath’s daughter, Gabby Logan, was in attendance to see Leeds take another step towards top-flight safety.

After a high-tempo opening, clearcut chances were in short supply in the first half, with Brenden Aaronson blazing the best of them over the crossbar. The USA midfielder ballooned his 23rd-minute chance when being played through on goal by Bogle, while Noah Okafor’s well-struck effort was held by Bernd Leno.

Leeds fans pay tribute to their former player Terry Yorath, who died this month aged 75. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA

Fulham’s best chance in the first half fell to Raúl Jiménez, who headed Harry Wilson’s early corner wide, with Sasa Lukic’s header just before the break comfortably held by Karl Darlow.

The visitors did well to quieten the crowd with a spell of possession after the restart, but Wilson wasted a good opportunity from a free-kick on the edge of the area. He was booked for a cynical foul on Gabriel Gudmundsson after the Sweden defender’s lung-busting run and that stirred the home fans.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned Aaronson’s cross narrowly wide and Gudmundsson fired off target on the overlap. James Justin’s effort was held by Leno and in the 67th minute there was a minute’s applause for Leeds fan Colin Wood, who died before the Manchester United game at Elland Road this month.

Leno was forced to dive low to gather another Calvert-Lewin effort and Pascal Struijk and Nmecha headed narrowly off target from corners as Leeds chased a late winner.

They were rewarded for their late pressure when Nmecha lashed home sAmpadu’s cross into the bottom-right corner. Nmecha was denied a second by Leno’s brilliant reflex save as Leeds saw the game out for their sixth league win of the season.