Leeds 1-0 Stoke: Dan James’ first-half strike secures 11th win in 12 games for promotion-chasing hosts… as Potters have Ben Pearson sent off late on and remain in drop zone

In a Championship promotion race that has suddenly become very interesting, all anyone can do is keep winning by any means possible.

Stoke aren’t pushovers at the best of times but when scrapping for survival they posed an even greater danger to high-flying Leeds.

So Daniel Farke was once again grateful to Dan James, who continues to regularly make the difference for Leeds when it matters most.

The winger’s 11th goal of the season kept Leeds in touch with leaders Leicester and when you consider James has also chipped in with eight assists, it represents a crucial contribution.

In truth, James could easily have come away with a hat-trick given all his chances but one proved sufficient.

James firing into the far corner of the net with the help of a deflection off defender Ben Wilmot

Leeds are remarkably strong at Elland Road – they remain unbeaten here this season – but that didn’t make this one any the more comfortable.

Steven Schumacher’s side had their moments and successfully disrupted Leeds’s flow in the second-half but their relegation worries only deepen.

Even deep into stoppage time, down to 10 men after Ben Pearson’s dismissal, they were peppering the Leeds box. The clock read 96:30 when Josh Laurent had their final chance.

Given their respective positions in the table, Stoke knew they’d be under the cosh for long spells and so it proved in the opening half.

They did fashion a decent early opening when Ki-Jana Hoever headed over after Leeds goalkeeper Ilian Meslier failed to reach Lewis Baker’s free-kick.

But the hosts quickly seized control and with all their attacking threats in the mood, the chances began to flow.

James felt he warranted a penalty when Potters keeper Daniel Iversen took a heavy touch then clipped him, but referee Oliver Langford disagreed.

An intense spell then saw Stoke barely able to exit their half. First, Patrick Bamford’s low angled shot was pushed away one-handed by Iversen after Georginio Rutter sprung him with a chipped pass.

From Leeds’ next move, Rutter broke free in the box to head Connor Roberts’ cross over the top and the Frenchman then sprung James who was denied by the spread frame of Iversen.

James was smartly picked out in the Stoke area by Glen Kamara moments later but Iversen came to Stoke’s rescue again.

Third time proved a charm for James, however, when Rutter set him running down the right. Twisting and turning inside Stoke’s box his eventual shot deflected off Ben Wilmot and in.

James sometimes frustrates when he cuts this way and that instead of just shooting but his fancy footwork followed by just putting his laces through the ball paid off here.

Stoke had been hammered yet might have grabbed a shock equaliser when Baker let fly from range, forcing Meslier into a flying save to turn the ball over.

Baker drew another save midway through the second-half with a low effort as Leeds struggled to find any intensity.

Stoke defender Ben Pearson was dismissed after a foul on James earned him a second yellow

Leeds hadn’t really threatened in the second-half but substitute Mateo Joseph’s fresh legs carried him clear to round Iversen, only to see Wilmot block his goalbound shot on the line.

Joseph later bent another effort wide as Leeds desperately sought a second to clinch it before Stoke’s Ben Pearson was dismissed for a second booking for blocking off James as Ethan Ampadu ran through.

James – who else – sprinted clear again deep into stoppage time but Iversen once again stood tall to deny him, taking a painful blow in the face in the process.

We’ll know soon enough how vital these ground-out points are for Leeds.