Leeds United deliver 'best win of season' according to manager Daniel Farke after Fulham game

With relegation rivals West Ham winning at Tottenham it was a vital three points and it looked like it was frustratingly only going to be one until Nmecha's brilliant volley won it at the start of added time.

The goal justified the decision of manager Farke to send on an extra striker in a bid to win the game and it was a fully deserved victory for the home side after they made missed a number of chances earlier in the game.

It may have been tight in the end, but Farke had no doubts his side were full value for the three points.

He said: “I label this as the best win of the season.

"Of course, first home game against Everton was massive or a win against big names. But we faced an in-form Fulham side delivering results after results.

“We fully deserved it, we didn't give one good chance away, we stayed relentless to the end, we delivered a clean sheet at home, the first since August I think.

“Late heartbreak against Newcastle and then today we were there with a late goal.

“After sucker punches, difficult decisions, two of our key players, Jaka and Anton in the last session were there with injuries, where the expectations are a bit higher at home against Fulham, to deliver, when other results perhaps don't go in your favour, it's a great feeling, great mentality and self belief. Fantastic day.”

On his tactics in pushing for a win in the second half with some attacking substitutions, Farke explained: "Normally a clean sheet and a draw against Fulham is not a bad result. Ilia's defensive awareness was crucial. Jayden (Bogle) interpreted his role in a really good way, first game back after injury. To take them off and bring another striker on and a creative midfield player, I had my doubts. It was quite risky.

“But the gut feeling is we wanted to go for it and to send the message, although we have missed chances, we will be rock solid and we'll score this goal we need.”

Farke praised the contribution of match wining substitute Nmecha: “That Lukas is in the spotlight and scored in a fantastic manner is fantastic.

“Lukas Nmecha's first touches were not world class, but he showed he is an unbelievable finisher.

“He has the instinct to be there at the vital moment and it was a quality finish.

“We also sometimes need his strength and physicality out of a deeper position.”

Leeds remain fifth from bottom, but are now within sight of a number of clubs just above them and are still eight points above the drop zone.

“I'm not dreaming about Europe right now, but 25 points is great,” added Farke.

“I don't look too much over my shoulder or what is ahead of us in the table. For us it's about winning point after point and achieve our goal, which is to stay in this league. I'm happy we are edging three points closer today.”

Fulham were largely kept at arm's length throughout the game, but the first half was evenly fought as the Londoners showed why they had won their last four games and the hosts looked solid if unspectacular with their back three in place again, with James Justin coming in for the injured Jaka Bijol.

They also lost key midfielder Anton Stach to a late injury, with Farke opting for Ilia Gruev as Ethan Ampadu's partner, again going for solidity.

Leeds had the first opening with Noah Okafor cutting in from the left only to see his shot deflected to be comfortably saved by keeper Bernd Leno.

Fulham responded as Raul Jimenez sent a near post header wide from a Harry Wilson corner. Wilson also got a shot in soon after, but it was well wide.

Two good chances fell the hosts' way, first when Gruev nipped in to win the ball after Leno's throw out had caught out an outfield teammate, but the midfielder's instant shot with the keeper still out of goal was easily blocked.

Then the real opening of the half when Jayden Bogle's pass put Brenden Aaronson clean through, but with the ball bouncing up he sent his shot well over with only Leno to beat.

That was it for efforts for United in the opening half apart from a Joe Rodon header from a corner just before the break that went wide.

Fulham had one further chance as Sasa Lukic raced onto a ball over the top of the home defence from Wilson, but could only send his header on the run straight to keeper Karl Darlow.

Leeds started the second half slowly, but the home crowd did their best to rouse them and they were given real fuel to vent their anger when Gabriel Gudmundsson charged down the left only to be cynically brought down by Wilson, who was promptly booked – one of five from Fulham to receive yellow cards and the count could have been more.

Two minutes later Aaronson got in a good cross and Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who had been well marked previously – sent a near post effort just wide.

Now the home team were finally getting their game together, the crowd was really involved and Gudmundsson should have done better when sent clear down the left only to hit a poor shot wide.

Justin then linked well with Ampadu, but shot straight at the keeper.

Fulham's only chance of the half came as Darlow raced out of his area and failed to clear well with a header. Emile Smith Rowe pounced on the loose ball, but his shot into an unguarded goal from distance went harmlessly wide.

With Farke throwing on subs to chase the game Leeds were forcing the issue, however, with Calvert-Lewin's shot from the edge of the box comfortably saved and Pascal Struijk's header from a corner going over.

Nmecha sent a near post header just over from Justin's corner before the big finish.

Ampadu did well to get down the right and his cross to the far post was superbly volleyed home by Nmecha to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Nmecha came close to double his and his team's tally in added time when he was through on the left, but his powerfully struck shot was brilliantly saved by Leno.

Leeds saw out the remainder comfortably and were able to celebrate a big three points.

Leeds United 1

(Nmecha 90+1)

Fulham 0

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Premier League

Attendance: 36,300

Leeds: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle (Nmecha 81), Gruev (Tanaka 81), Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson (Bornauw 90+3), Okafor (Gnonto 70); Calvert-Lewin.

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Lukic (Cairney 65); Sessegnon (Kevin 65), Smith Rowe (King 77), Wilson (Diop 88); Jimenez (Kusi-Asare 88).

Referee: Chris Kavanagh