"PROPER FOOTBALL": DANIEL FARKE HAILS LEEDS' BRAVERY AFTER ERASING CHELSEA’S TWO-GOAL LEAD
Leeds United clawed back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea. Discover Daniel Farke’s tactical secrets and Noah Okafor’s heroics.
Daniel Farke watched his Leeds United team claw their way back from 2-0 down at Chelsea and leave with a 2-2 draw.
Things looked bleak at first. Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead in the first half, and Cole Palmer buried a penalty after the break. Chelsea controlled the game, and honestly, it felt like they were just cruising to a win.
But then Leeds woke up. In the space of six minutes, everything flipped. First, Moises Caicedo fouled Jayden Bogle in the box, and Lukas Nmecha stepped up and smashed home the penalty. Suddenly, Leeds had hope. Next, Bogle just wouldn’t quit; he battled his way into the box, somehow got the ball to Noah Okafor, and Okafor tapped in the equaliser.
“Proper night of football,” Farke said afterwards, still buzzing. “Great night for everyone with Leeds United. I’m so proud of my players; they deserve a lot of praise.
Chelsea are flying at the moment, winning in the Premier League, winning in the Champions League. And we come here as a newly promoted side, missing some key guys – Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach, and Pascal Struijk – really the backbone of our team. Some players were only just back from injury, too.
“With Chelsea’s quality, going 2-0 down can mean a long, ugly night. But this team doesn’t give up. We believe we can always fight back.”
Farke admitted that going 2-0 down was partly Leeds’ own fault. He couldn’t figure out why Jaka Bijol shoved Joao Pedro in the box; he thought the penalty was soft, but still, it was a needless risk. Even after those mistakes, Farke felt his team earned the point with their mentality. Chelsea pushed late, but Leeds hung on.
Okafor’s equaliser followed his goal against Nottingham Forest last weekend, probably his best showing for Leeds so far. Farke said it wasn’t easy to leave him out of the starting lineup at Chelsea, but he had his reasons.
“It was tough, but I had to use my head, not my heart,” he explained.
“Noah needs a bit longer to recover because of his physical style. We figured our wingers would have to do a ton of defensive work, and honestly, that’s not their biggest strength.
“We planned to keep things tight, adjust our formation as the match went on, and throw more attackers on late. We didn’t plan to be 2-0 down, but the idea was always to go for it in the last 20 or 30 minutes. Credit to the players; they earned a massive point tonight.”
HOW DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN RECLAIMED HIS ENGLAND SPOT AFTER ELLAND ROAD SUCCESS
Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns his first England call-up since Euro 2020 after scoring 10 goals for Leeds United in 2026.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad feels like a well-earned milestone after his breakthrough season at Elland Road. Scoring 10 goals in 28 Premier League matches this term, he’s become the first Leeds player called up since Kalvin Phillips.
When asked about the national team news in an exclusive chat, Calvert-Lewin’s smile said it all. He admitted he’s still processing the reality of joining the squad again after a long journey to get recognition. “It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “I’m probably not really taking it in yet.”
Tuchel’s 35-player roster marks Calvert-Lewin’s first England call-up since the Euro 2020 squad, where England finished runners-up after that heartbreaking penalty shootout with Italy. The forward shared how Tuchel broke the news during a brief video call the night before the announcement, explaining the plans for the upcoming week and the chance to impress. For Calvert-Lewin, it’s an opportunity he’s eager to seize.
Since moving to Leeds from Everton on a free transfer, he has made an immediate impact. Daniel Farke’s eighth summer signing has already netted 10 goals in 28 appearances for the Whites. December saw him honoured as Premier League Player of the Month after scoring six goals in five games.
Off the pitch, Calvert-Lewin has felt a special kind of support at Elland Road from teammates, staff, and fans. “I can’t say I’ve ever felt love like this,” he said, reflecting on his time in West Yorkshire. The genuine happiness from everyone around him has made a big difference. Still, he remains focused on the club’s goals and is proud that his form has earned a return to the England setup, but he is waiting to see how it feels if he gets to wear the shirt again.
Family plays a crucial role in his story, too. As a father, Calvert-Lewin acknowledges the support from his wife and daughter as key factors in getting back to his best. “I was a million miles away from where I am now not so long ago,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t be in this position without them.”
Looking ahead, Dominic is set to add to his 11 England caps. England’s upcoming fixtures see them face Uruguay on Friday night, followed by a match against Japan on Tuesday, where they might cross paths with Leeds teammate Ao Tanaka. It’s shaping up to be a significant period for him both personally and professionally.
HOW NECO WILLIAMS NAVIGATED FOUR FOREST MANAGERS TO FIND ELITE FORM
Neco Williams reflects on Nottingham Forest’s chaotic season and Europa League success ahead of a Wales World Cup play-off.
Neco Williams didn’t sugarcoat it; Nottingham Forest’s season has been anything but smooth. Beating Tottenham last Sunday gave them a much-needed lift, pushing them up to 16th in the table, three points clear of the drop zone with seven matches left. That win came right after they booked a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals by knocking out FC Midtjylland. Next up, after the international break, they head to Porto for the first leg of their last-eight tie on April 9.
It’s been nonstop for Vitor Pereira’s squad, juggling league matches and European nights. And it hasn’t helped that Pereira is the fourth head coach they’ve hired this season. The players have barely had time to adjust before the next new face arrives with new ideas and strategies.
Williams spoke to the BBC about the constant upheaval. “Every manager has his own way,” he said. “You just have to be ready for the next one and really take on board whatever they bring. Four managers, four styles – you can’t dwell on it. You have to go with it, get used to it, and move forward.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Williams admitted, “We’re not where we want to be. After last season, nobody expected us to end up here.” They’re trying to handle Premier League games, Europa League fixtures, and all those cup ties earlier this year. It’s a lot, but honestly, it’s the price they pay for last season’s success. Still, he wishes they were further up the table.
He pointed out how much their schedule has changed, too. Last season, they’d play a once-a-week game, recovery, training, build-up, then another game. Now? It’s Wednesday, Saturday, Thursday, and Sunday. No real time to recover, no time to dig into tactics or study opponents. Just play, recover, play again – no let-up at all.
Now, with the international break, Williams shifts focus to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Wales play Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff semi-final on Thursday, and if they win, they’ll meet Italy or Northern Ireland for a spot in the finals.
Williams heads into those matches in strong form. He’s been one of Forest’s most consistent players this season. “Honestly, it’s probably one of my best seasons ever,” he said. “I only missed one Premier League game, and that was because I got sent off against Crystal Palace.”
Getting consistent performances hasn’t been easy for him in the past, but he feels he’s finally figured it out. “Especially this season and last, I’ve found that rhythm. I’m not having a great game one week and a bad one the next anymore. It’s steady, and that’s what you need in the Premier League.”
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