- Byram headed Leeds ahead in ninth minute but Carvalho levelled with fine finish
- Summerville scored 88th minute penalty and James sealed win with third goal
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Daniel Farke played down the dramatic late penalty spat between Crysencio Summerville and Joel Piroe as Leeds surged back into second spot.
Summerville fired home from 12 yards in the 88th minute after he was felled by Regan Slater’s clumsy challenge before Dan James’ spectacular long-range in added time capped an emotionally fraught evening.
But Summerville grabbed the ball after Piroe, who had come off the bench four minutes later, attempted to assume spot-kick responsibilities.
The pair’s team-mates were forced to step in and allow Summerville to fire home, yet Farke was not overly concerned as his men stretched their unbeaten league run to 15 games.
The Leeds boss said: ‘Cree Summerville was our taker on the teamsheet, but normally when I bring on Joel Piroe he’s the penalty taker.
Crysencio Summerville converted a late penalty which sent Leeds United back up into second
Forward was felled by Regan Slater’s clumsy challenge and stepped up to score in 88th minute
Dan James added a spectacular late third to seal to seal a vital victory for the home side
‘But I don’t like someone taking a penalty when you have been on the pitch for just 30 seconds.
‘You need to have a few touches and it was definitely the right decision for Cree to take it.
‘It was good for Joel to then get an assist for Dan James’ goal.’
Leeds remain the only side in the EFL still unbeaten on home soil this season and the win was vital after earlier victories for promotion rivals Ipswich and Leicester.
The pair were brutally murdered in Istanbul on April 5, 2000 when supporting Leeds in a UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray.
With Hull having a Turkish owner in Acun Ilicali, and the club’s supporters often waving Turkey flags during matches, there was a plea for a united show of respect at Elland Road.
The message was heeded and Leeds led inside the ninth minute when right-back Sam Byram bundled home after Summerville was denied by Ryan Allsop.
Patrick Bamford then spurned a golden opportunity when he spooned a left-foot shot horribly over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Sam Byram headed Leeds ahead early on after Summerville’s shot had been saved
Hull drew level thanks to a fine finish by Fabio Carvalho in the 34th minute at Elland Road
But Hull’s slick passing began to tell and in the 34th minute they were level.
Tyler Morton broke down the left flank and crossed to the near post where Fabio Carvalho produced a deft finish to fire past Illan Meslier.
Leeds appealed for a penalty in the 66th minute after Archie Gray went down inside the box under a challenge from Jean Michael Seri but referee Josh Smith was unmoved.
At the other end of the field, chances grew scarce for Leeds and Farke replaced Bamford with promising youngster Mateo Joseph.
Joseph went close to converting Junior Firpo’s low cross from the left flank before Summerville’s penalty proved decisive.
There was still time for James to fire into an empty net with Allsop out of his goal, capping an incredible ending.
He said: ‘It’s a painful one but, if we play like we know we can, then we’ve still got a very good chance of achieving our aims this season.
‘This was reflective of our season – we haven’t taken the moments from our dominance – but write us off because there’s no pressure.
‘But after that performance, I’ve never been prouder in defeat as a player, coach or manager.’
