FootyChatter.com

Daniel Farke's Leeds have taken seven points from their past six Championship games Daniel James' fine strike rescued a point for Leeds United at relegation-threatened Luton Town as the Whites missed a chance to claim top spot in the Championship. Isaiah Jones had volleyed the Hatters in front as they sought to build on a run of results that has lifted fans' hopes they can escape back-to-back relegations, but James produced a moment of quality to level. The draw means Matt Bloomfield's side have now lost just one of their past six, although the loss of striker Elijah Adebayo to injury will be a worry to the Luton manager. Leeds knew a win in the early kick-off would mean leapfrogging Sheffield United into top spot, but Manor Solomon missed a great chance to win it late in the game. It means Daniel Farke's side have now drawn three successive league matches and only won once in six games. The result, and Burnley's win at Coventry, means that Leeds, having looked to be near certainties to win automatic promotion six weeks ago, are now reliant on Sheffield United or Burnley dropping points if they are to claim a top-two placing at the end of the season. Farke dropped goalkeeper Illan Meslier after a series of high-profile mistakes, drafting in Karl Darlow in his place. The Wales international almost had an immediate impact when his accurate throw released Solomon down the wing. His cross found James but his header was too close to Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski. Leeds went close again as Solomon's free-kick flashed through a crowd of players and struck the unsighted Junior Firpo, forcing Kaminski into a sharp save to prevent the ball sneaking inside his post. Moments later Luton were ahead, courtesy of Adebayo's persistence and Jordan Clark's accuracy. The big striker battled to win possession inside his own half and after holding off challenges as he strode forward, he slipped the ball to Clark. His cross found Jones unmarked at the far post for a simple volleyed finish. The Luton fans chanted "Leeds are falling apart again" but their joy was short-lived. James pursued the ball after a corner had been cleared out to the right flank, and as he cut inside, Adebayo showed him the inside, on to his supposedly weaker left foot. That proved to be a mistake as James expertly picked out the far corner. Luton were hit by the departure of Adebayo early the second half, replaced by Tahith Chong, but shortly afterwards the impressive Thelo Aasgaard came close to winning the game for the home side, cutting on to his right foot and then shooting for the far corner, only for Darlow to pull off an impressive save. Leeds upped the tempo in the last 10 minutes, but when James produced a dangerous cross from the right, the ball bobbled on a sun-baked surface just as it reached Solomon, and the Tottenham Hotspur loanee fired wide from close range. Luton were also grateful for a fine tackle by Christ Makosso to deny Isaac Schmidt as the Yorkshire side threatened deep in stoppage time. Luton manager Matt Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It's a performance to be proud of, and a point to be proud of, against extremely good opposition who we all expect to be in the Premier League next season. "The resilience we showed out of position, the structure and discipline. We also created some good chances and the variety of our play was good, so there's a lot to be pleased about. "Eli (Adebayo) was fantastic today, his work out of possession and the way he gives us a platform to build. Clicker (Jordan Clark) has a little bit of quality at the top end of the pitch and it was a nice finish from Izzy (Isaiah Jones) so it was a very good goal. "He (Adebayo) twisted his knee and he has some ice on it so we're not sure where it's at, so it was right at that time to get on some fresh legs. " Leeds manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: "It's always difficult of course (to concede first) especially here at Luton. It's always easier for the away team to open the contest and use our strengths in counter-attacks. "It always helps, instead of the other team being able to concentrate on being rock-solid, compact and good in defending, and you have to defend some counter-attacks, so it's a problem. "I would like to be in the lead at some point in an away game, it would make our lives a bit easier. You can have wishes and dreams but they can't all happen in some periods of the season, so we just have to have reality and dig and grind out, and this was a hard-fought point. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 5th April 2025 at 17: 05 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Daniel Farke Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Daniel Farke Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 We're still improving Match stats. Let us know what you think. Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Luton have won one of their last 12 league games against Leeds (D3 L8), beating the Whites 5-1 in the Championship in October 2006. Leeds United are looking to complete a league double over Luton Town for the first time since the 1991-92 top-flight season, when the Whites won the title. In March, only Burnley (13) and Sheffield United (13) picked up more Championship points than Luton Town (10), who won three of their five games (D1 L1). It is four more than Leeds picked up (6) during the month. Leeds go into this game 43 points ahead of Luton Town (81 points vs 38 points), their most ahead of an opponent before playing them since the final day of the 2018-19 season against Ipswich when, despite being 55 points ahead of the Tractor Boys, they lost 3-2. Since the start of last season, Leeds United have scored 25 Championship goals in the opening 10 minutes of games, 11 more than any other side. Three of their seven goals within March were scored in this timeframe. Match ends, Luton Town 1, Leeds United 1. Second Half ends, Luton Town 1, Leeds United 1. Joe Rodon (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Lasse Nordås (Luton Town). Foul by Sam Byram (Leeds United). Tahith Chong (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing. Daniel James (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Carlton Morris (Luton Town). Attempt blocked. Isaac Schmidt (Leeds United) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Bamford. Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time. Offside, Leeds United. Patrick Bamford is caught offside. Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Christ Makosso (Luton Town). Substitution, Leeds United. Sam Byram replaces Jayden Bogle. Substitution, Leeds United. Isaac Schmidt replaces Manor Solomon. Substitution, Leeds United. Max Wöber replaces Pascal Struijk because of an injury. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Pascal Struijk (Leeds United). Junior Firpo (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Carlton Morris (Luton Town). Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.