Farke would have been thrilled with his team’s victory, but they could have had a far more easy evening when two goals were controversially disallowed. Tanaka scored the first of those by sneaking in behind and attempting to score a close-range Manor Solomon cross, however replays appeared to reveal he was only onside.

With thirteen minutes remaining, substitute Patrick Bamford scored a brilliant finish, but he was also shown to be offside. Again, though, replays revealed that Bamford was not past the final defender at the moment of Wilfried Gnonto’s pass.

Farke was obviously unhappy with those two choices. He started by saying, “I have to be a bit careful,” “I’m at a loss for words, but I know the referees have an incredibly difficult job to do. Darren Williams, the same linesman, has disqualified three regular goals at Coventry, Millwall, and tonight in the last eight weeks.

“Those choices weren’t the hardest, in my opinion. In the past two months, he has disallowed three regular goals, so why do we still send him to Leeds United games? The referee is not to fault for this.

A hint about Patrick Bamford’s decision was revealed, highlighting Daniel Farke’s incredible Middlesbrough record.

“Usually, the boys can feel rather pleased of themselves after a hard-fought victory, but if we continue to rule out regular goals, it will be very tough to win some games in the years to come. This has really let me down, especially since it’s the same assistant for the third time in eight weeks.”

Farke also discussed the other player who was denied a goal due to a close offside, and his remarks about Tanaka demonstrated how much the win meant to him.

“Ao was in tears in the dressing room here,” he stated. “I questioned him about it. “I’m so empty, boss, I don’t know.” He was ecstatic about the victory. Leeds now has another short turnaround as they are ready to play Preston at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime.