Leeds boss Daniel Farke described his team’s 1-0 victory at Gary Rowett’s Oxford as “the best type of win”.
Manor Solomon’s 33rd-minute goal from a superb attacking move was enough to take Leeds back to the top of the Championship with three games to go.
Farke said: “It was a massive win for us at this stage of the season against a team fighting against relegation for the points, and a clean sheet too.
“This game was so, so difficult because Oxford have been very difficult to play here in the last few games.
“We didn’t create many chances against them but had good control of the game.
“It was a fantastic team goal, a perfect move – it is always a beautiful goal when you just have to pass it into the goal at the end.
“We had lots of control but Gary’s sides are always so well structured and competitive, it’s difficult. We were good in possession today but you have to bury such a game by scoring the second goal and sadly we just hit the inside of the post, or one just went the wrong side or there was a good save.
“And with that, Oxford were still in the game. I think they had one chance in the first half and it was a good save – and they tried everything, also to push forward, but we didn’t allow them one proper chance in the second half of 55 minutes, and I was quite pleased with this.
“If you don’t score the second goal, and you miss a few chances then you have to show steel and resilience. It was good defending in a top-class way, pretty hard-fought but also a spirited win and well deserved, I felt.
“And these, with the clean sheet as well, these are the best types of wins.
“I’m also proud. We showed great resilience, we’re not the biggest of teams. But we were so focused and concentrated. We have many young lads but today they were really mature and like warriors.
“We’ve had back-to-back-to-back wins which have put us in a good position but nothing is done yet. You have to fight for each and every point in this league and all the upcoming games will be difficult. This league is relentless.
“We now need a special day at Elland Road on Monday – we have the chance to create something really, really special. We will need our supporters to carry us through the game a bit and we need a special atmosphere and everyone in good voice.”
Oxford head coach Rowett said: “First half they made it difficult for us but second half I thought we responded excellently – we were far more aggressive.
“We didn’t create too many clear-cut chances, but I thought we put them under an awful lot of pressure and they defended the box very well – Joe Rodon got his head on everything when we loaded the box late on and chased the game.
“In some ways the first half went a little bit how I thought it would go. We had some moments early on, Leeds settled into that rhythm and they’re very good the way they play tactically.
“The one time we actually get into a really good shape and we let that pass go through us, the cross goes around us and they go one up. But that’s what Leeds can do, they’ve got electric forward players and if you switch off for a second and give them a moment, they have the ability to take that moment.
“I thought we stuck at the game and although we’re disappointed we lost the game, I was super proud of the players’ reaction second half.”
