Substitute Lukas Nmecha struck in stoppage time to give Leeds United a deserved 1-0 victory over Fulham at Elland Road, bringing the visitors’ six-match unbeaten Premier League run to an end.
In a game short on clear-cut chances, Leeds’ persistence finally paid off in the 91st minute when Nmecha, introduced just 10 minutes earlier, turned home Ethan Ampadu’s cross to settle the contest.
The win keeps Leeds eight points clear of the relegation zone after 22 matches, while Fulham remain 10th.
The first half was tight and low on incident, with the biggest reaction from the home crowd coming when Fulham manager Marco Silva was booked for dissent.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno looked uncertain early on, but Leeds failed to capitalise before the break, most notably when Brenden Aaronson fired over from a promising position.
Leeds emerged with greater purpose after half-time and began to apply sustained pressure.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin brushed the side-netting after meeting Aaronson’s cross, while James Justin’s effort from inside the box was comfortably saved by Leno.
Fulham offered little in response, with Emile Smith Rowe’s speculative long-range effort their only notable attempt.
As Leeds continued to push, Leno remained largely untroubled until the decisive moment arrived in injury time, when Ampadu’s delivery found Nmecha, who made no mistake from close range to seal a clean-sheet victory.
After a stuttering start to the new year, Leeds delivered the response Daniel Farke demanded.
Their switch to a back three has brought greater balance, and after being held at Newcastle last week, they were dominant after the interval here.
Leeds limited Fulham to just three shots while creating a steady stream of pressure, even if clear chances were scarce.
The clean sheet was their first at Elland Road since the opening weeks of the season and another sign of growing stability.
While the gap to the relegation places remains the same, Leeds are unbeaten in five home league matches and have now scored in nine successive fixtures in front of their own supporters - encouraging signs as the season enters its decisive phase.
Fulham arrived in West Yorkshire in confident form, having picked up more points than almost any side in recent weeks, but they never truly imposed themselves on the contest.
Leno endured an unusually uncertain afternoon, while the Cottagers’ attacking threat was muted throughout.
They managed just one shot on target and struggled to link midfield and attack, with Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez largely isolated.
Marco Silva’s late shift to a more defensive setup suggested contentment with a point, but it ultimately backfired.
Leeds’ positive substitutions made the difference, leaving Fulham to reflect on a performance that fell well short of the standards set during their recent run.
