Noah Okafor gives Leeds 1-0 win over Tottenham after Farke changes shape

Noah Okafor scored a 79th-minute winner as Leeds United beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Elland Road, ending a run of five Premier League matches without a victory. According to the Guardian’s match report, Okafor combined with fellow substitute Harry Wilson shortly after both came on, settling a game that Leeds increasingly controlled after half-time.

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The victory followed a series of formation changes from Leeds manager Daniel Farke. He started with a 3-5-2 system that helped contain Tottenham during an opening half with few clear chances. After the interval he moved to a 4-2-3-1, before adopting a 3-4-3 as Leeds pursued the breakthrough. His late attacking changes proved decisive, with Wilson creating the opportunity for Okafor to beat goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

The main incident before half-time involved Leeds wing-back Jayden Bogle and Tottenham forward Mathys Tel. Bogle caught Tel on the Achilles, and the Tottenham player was unable to continue. A lengthy video assistant referee review followed, but the challenge was not judged to constitute serious foul play and Bogle remained on the pitch. The Guardian’s report did not establish the extent of Tel’s injury or how long he might be unavailable.

Leeds created more openings after Farke’s initial switch to a back four. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ao Tanaka both had opportunities as Tottenham struggled to deal with the home side’s altered approach. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi responded with a triple substitution around the hour mark, and Conor Gallagher subsequently shot wide. Leeds also went close through Sean Longstaff but still had no goal to show for their pressure.

Farke then introduced Wilson and Okafor to support Calvert-Lewin, and the two substitutes combined within two minutes. Okafor’s finish gave Leeds an advantage they protected through the closing stages. The result ended Tottenham’s attempt to record four consecutive Premier League wins for the first time in three years, with James Trafford rarely seriously tested in the Leeds goal.

After the match, Farke credited his players and emphasised the importance of getting the tactics right against an in-form opponent, the Guardian reported. De Zerbi focused on Tottenham’s second-half performance, saying his team had lacked the spirit and hunger required. Leeds head into the international break with their winless sequence ended, while Spurs must assess both their attacking display and Tel’s condition.