Mohamed Kudus’ second half strike brought Tottenham 2-1 at Elland Road as Leeds lost their first home league match in a year.
Ghanaian forward Kudus fired the winner just before the time mark after Leeds’ Winganoaokafo cancelled the opener for Massieztel for Tottenham before the break.
This was the first home league loss in the season’s top flight 1-0 loss to Burnley in September 2024, and Tottenham won the fourth Premier League win for Thomas Frank.
The Londoner, who began the day in fifth place, has lost only one of 11 matches in all competitions since Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in June, but won on his final three visits to LS11.
And Tottenham reporter Alasdare Gold spotted an emotional scene in the full-time whistle as former Elland Road Wonderkid Archie Gray finally got the chance to say goodbye to his boyhood club.
Leeds 1-2 Tottenham: As it happened
Leeds, who hasn’t changed to four consecutive matches, quickly showed their intentions through Sean Longstaff’s crunch tackle before Joe Rodon’s header from Anton Stach’s free kick.
Joao Palhinha was selfish with the Spurs’ first chance, making five changes after a 2-2 Europa League draw in Norway on Tuesday.
Visitors were again threatened as Destiny Udogie’s angular shot was blocked by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
After Kudus slid down Leeds’ left channel and ran to the edge of the box, the French winger unleashed a strong shot into the top corner via Pascal Struick’s deflection.
Kdus should double Tottenham’s lead right after a big fire from within the penalty area as Leeds began to look tattered.
However, Fark’s side was reorganized. Dominique Calvert Lewin was on a whim after creating space within the area.
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Viario was able to take over Brenden Arson’s low effort, and the summer signature signed Okafor and turned the rebound for the second goal of the season.
When Tottenham began to squeal, Longstaff was launched from the edge of the box, but at a seesaw encounter, visitors were close by when Tell’s header from Wilson O’Dobert’s crossbar hit the crossbar before halftime.
It started raining and half of the chances continued to flow.
Darlow blocked the Pedro Porro cross, and at the other end Vicario was stretching completely to keep out Calvert-Lewin’s low strike.
A slip by Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmunson helped Tottenham get back to the lead in the 57th minute.
Swedish left back was confiscated near the penalty. Kudus located inside and arrowed the lower leg of his left foot in a post near Darrow via another deflection of the Strucci.
However, after being framed forward, Tottenham was unable to direct the tempo, and Leeds approached when Longstaff made a low shot very loud.
Leeds moved forward during the closing stages, but substitute Joel Pillow was blocked by Vicario’s low save, and Struik’s header was narrowly deflected.