Leeds boss Daniel Farke insisted it was “just three points” after his side’s 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United lifted them clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.
Farke’s side trailed 1-0 at the break after another error from goalkeeper Illan Meslier, but they hit back through Junior Firpo’s second-half header and two goals in the final two minutes from Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe.
Leeds struck late goals to sink another promotion rival, Sunderland, last week and more last-gasp heroics at Bramall Lane lifted them seven points clear of third-placed Burnley with 12 games to go.
But Farke said: “Each and every point brings us closer to where we want to finish and you have to keep going in this league, you have to show consistency.
“Of course, if you play against the best sides, last week Sunderland and today Sheffield United, if you win these games it’s even better for the confidence, yes.
“But it’s just three points. There’s no reason to lose the ground under your feet. Stay humble, stay grounded.
“In this league the momentum can change very quickly. You never know what’s going to happen and you always need a bit of luck.”
The Blades tore into their Yorkshire rivals from kick-off and deservedly led through Meslier’s blunder when he parried Tyrese Campbell’s header into his own net.
But Leeds slowly wrestled control and once Firpo’s thumping 72nd-minute header drew them level, the momentum was theirs and Tanaka headed them in front in the 89th minute before Piroe lashed in their third.
Farke added: “I’m proud of the boys. It’s one of the toughest places you can go – Bramall Lane, fired up. They’re in unbelievable shape.
“We were able to find not just another gear, but I would say two or three gears and in a tight game, against an excellent Sheffield United side.”
Farke revealed skipper Ethan Ampadu will be sidelined for several weeks after requiring surgery on another knee cartilage injury, which ruled him out of the match.
Blades boss Chris Wilder admitted his side were “a little bit short”, but that there was plenty of games remaining for his side to maintain their own automatic promotion challenge.
Wilder said: “It was a tight game. Congratulations to Dan and his Leeds team. They’re a top side, so we had to produce a really top performance and we just fell a little bit short.
“They didn’t swat us away tonight. We’re really disappointed we’ve not got a win. But we’ll take it on the chin and be humble.
“I’m certainly not going to beat the players up, they’ve been outstanding so far this season and now the challenge is to overcome disappointment.”
