Okafor's late winner stuns Spurs amid VAR fury
Leeds' late winner leaves Roberto De Zerbi fuming as VAR controversy over a non‑red card fuels his anger. Noah Okafor, who came on as a substitute, netted the decisive goal at Elland Road just 97 seconds after entering the pitch, securing a win over Tottenham Hotspur.
VAR decision fuels controversy
Roberto De Zerbi was left seeing red after Jayden Bogle escaped a card of the same colour in the defeat. VAR refused to deem Bogle's dangerous tackle on Mathys Tel a sending‑off, despite the challenge seeing Bogle stand on the Spurs winger's Achilles and force him to limp out. The challenge did not even result in Bogle being booked.
De Zerbi stormed down the tunnel at half‑time, angry at the VAR ruling. Ten minutes before half‑time VAR spent four minutes reviewing Bogle's challenge on Tel, a decision that left De Zerbi incredulous.
Spurs' confidence meets Leeds' struggle
Tottenham had arrived in Yorkshire high on confidence after three straight wins that had lifted them into the top half of the table. Leeds, under Daniel Farke, had not won in their previous five league outings after a bright opening to the campaign. Farke noted his side possessed the longest unbeaten home run in the Premier League, 23 games stretching back to March.
Spurs were fortunate not to fall behind inside the opening five minutes, when Mateus Fernandes conceded a penalty that VAR later overturned. Ao Tanaka then shot just wide, and Ethan Ampadu sliced an effort well wide as Tottenham continued to hang on. Mathys Tel broke down the left before being forced off after Bogle's challenge, prompting a replacement. Omar Marmoush shot straight at James Trafford following Tel's break, and Mohammed Kudus later tested Trafford.
Late drama seals Leeds victory
Bogle later set up Lukas Nmecha, whose header struck Antonin Kinsky from close range. A comical collision between teammates Ethan Ampadu and Tarik Muharemovic summed up the first half. Leeds defender Micky van de Ven almost sliced an interception into his own goal. Dominic Solanke blocked a header from Dominic Calvert‑Lewin close to his own line as Leeds pressed for a breakthrough.
De Zerbi was booked after objecting to a yellow card shown to Pedro Porro. Calvert‑Lewin tee‑up Ao Tanaka, whose effort ballooned over the crossbar. Substitute Conor Gallagher came close to snatching a winner for Spurs at the opposite end. With ten minutes remaining, Okafor burst into the box to beat Kinsky and halt Spurs' momentum.
Sport chief Jeremy Cross logged the match details at 14:53 on 7 November 2026.