Okafor lifts Leeds above Tottenham with late winner at Elland Road

Noah Okafor gave Leeds United a 1-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on Saturday, scoring in the 79th minute just 97 seconds after entering the match. Reuters reported that the result moved Leeds into eighth place on 14 points, above Tottenham, who remained on 12.

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The decisive goal arrived after a throw-in was redirected towards Okafor, who finished low from the edge of the penalty area, according to Reuters. His rapid contribution from the bench settled a contest in which Leeds had created several opportunities after halftime without finding a way past Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Tottenham's own match report confirmed that Okafor and Harry Wilson had both come on in the 77th minute, replacing Lukas Nmecha and Ao Tanaka. The defeat ended Spurs' sequence of three league victories. Leeds, meanwhile, recorded their first Premier League win in six matches, The Guardian reported.

The first half brought a lengthy review of Jayden Bogle's challenge on Mathys Tel. Tottenham's account said the referee awarded a free-kick and VAR then decided against further action for serious foul play. Tel tried to continue but was eventually replaced by Dominic Solanke. Reuters also reported that the visitors were unhappy Leeds had not been reduced to 10 players following the incident.

Tottenham's report described a series of Leeds chances after the interval. Solanke blocked an effort on the goal line and Tanaka shot over from close range. Roberto De Zerbi introduced Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski together in the 65th minute, with Gallagher subsequently shooting narrowly wide. Kinsky later kept out attempts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff before Okafor broke the deadlock.

Spurs still had an opportunity to rescue a point near the end. Jan Paul van Hecke directed a header towards goal in the 90th minute, but James Trafford saved, Tottenham reported. Leeds held their advantage through the closing stages, leaving the visitors without a fourth consecutive league win and taking the hosts above them in the standings.