Daniel Farke 'confident' Leeds United can stay in Premier League after AFC Bournemouth draw
Daniel Farke reflects on Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth
Daniel Farke is confident Leeds United can retain their Premier League status after seeing his side salvage a 2-2 draw away at AFC Bournemouth.
When Rayan put the Cherries 2-1 up with five minutes of normal time remaining last night (April 22), Leeds fans were left to fear they were heading for defeat. It had restored the lead Junior Kroupi had given Bournemouth before a James Hill own goal levelled proceedings.
There was almost an acceptance of defeat among supporters when Evanilson prodded home a third, but Leeds were given a lifeline when it was ruled out for offside.
Sean Longstaff then hammered home a dramatic equaliser seven minutes into stoppage time, pushing Leeds nine points clear of the drop zone.
Daniel Farke ‘confident’ Leeds United can stay up
Farke said: “I’m experienced and long enough in this business that we will just celebrate once it’s mathematically done. But I’m confident.
“We are on 40 points. Why should we lose now all the last four games? We are in a good shape. For us, it’s a very priceless point. Not just for the table, but also the manner [of the equaliser].”
Leeds will take a brief break from their battle for survival this weekend, when they will travel to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea.
The Blues are heading into the game in a slump, but Leeds are riding the crest of a wave as a side unbeaten across their last seven in all competitions.
Farke said: “Today was a point of mentality, of fight, of belief, of dealing with setbacks. It leaves us in a really good position. It’s a perfect morale boost, not just for the cup game but the whole run-in.”
AFC Bournemouth’s anger
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who will depart and have his place taken by Marco Rose in the summer, was left incensed by the fact Leeds’ leveller stood.
He felt Joel Piroe was influencing play as he stood in an offside position when Longstaff unleashed his thunderbolt.
The Spaniard said: “I’m very angry, I’m disappointed, I’m frustrated. It’s a difficult one to swallow because we celebrated the 3-1, it’s offside, we have to accept, the machines says it is one millimetre ahead.
“But the 2-2 we cannot accept. The offside position is clear, it affects [Djordje] Petrovic (Bournemouth’s goalkeeper). I have spoken with the referee. They try to make it look like it’s a very difficult play. I don’t think it’s as difficult.
“It’s in the trajectory of Petrovic, it affects the view, it’s in the side where the ball goes. It makes it more difficult for Petrovic to save that ball, definitely. He would have saved it if the player is not there. As soon as he (Piroe) affects (Petrovic’s view), it’s clearly offside. I don’t think it’s as difficult as they say.”