Okafor debut goal gives Leeds win over Tottenham
Noah Okafor scored two minutes after coming on for Leeds United, giving them a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on 7 November 2026 and ending Leeds' five‑game winless Premier League run.
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Okafor's decisive debut
Okafor struck with his first touch, two minutes after replacing Lukas Nmecha. The goal sealed Leeds’ third league win of the season. It also condemned resurgent Tottenham to their first defeat in five matches.
Tottenham were chasing their fourth straight win after climbing from bottom to ninth place before kick‑off. In a game of few clear‑cut chances Okafor’s introduction proved decisive.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke sent on Harry Wilson and Okafor for Tanaka and Nmecha with 13 minutes left and the change paid off when Wilson played in Okafor with his first touch, allowing the Switzerland striker to rifle his finish beyond Antonin Kinsky for his second league goal of the season.
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Match incidents and reactions
James Trafford had gifted Bournemouth an opening goal last week with a misplaced pass but caught an early cross cleanly and cleared it low. He later spoke of his “horrendous” spell at Manchester City last season, saying he left for his mental wellbeing after playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford showed his confidence remained undiminished, punching clear a dangerous cross from Mohammed Kudus and saving a low shot from Omar Marmoush. Home fans appealed for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Mateus Fernandes on the arm, but VAR ruled otherwise.
A lengthy VAR check concluded no serious foul play after Jayden Bogle’s studs accidentally caught Mathys Tel on his Achilles. After Nmecha, who made his first start of the season, headed straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, Tel was unable to continue and was replaced by Dominic Solanke.
Leeds stepped it up after the restart. Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s header was blocked, Nico Elvedi’s follow‑up was wide and Ao Tanaka fired over the crossbar. A spell of concerted pressure raised the noise levels as Nmecha was crowded out after being played into the box.
Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke and Leeds’ Tarik Muharemovic featured in the attacking exchanges. Substitute Conor Gallagher flashed a 20‑yard shot inches wide and Ethan Ampadu lashed over after Jayden Bogle’s effort was blocked. Antonin Kinsky then produced the save of the match, tipping Sean Longstaff’s volley over the bar; Longstaff made his first league start in almost a year.
Trafford ensured Leeds’ win by diving full length to keep out Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a late free‑kick as Tottenham slipped to their second defeat in eight league games. The 42FM Sport platform, which covers Golf, Horse, Video Review, Podcasts, Rugby, Extra and Football, publishes weekly analysis. The Football Family weekly insights from the week’s big talking points are available to see all podcasts. More Stories are provided after the match report.