Lukas Nmecha played the role of super-sub as his injury-time winner kept Leeds United eight points clear of the relegation zone after a 1-0 victory over Fulham. 

In a game that had few clear-cut chances at Elland Road, Nmecha struck the decisive blow in the 91st minute with a smart finish from Ethan Ampadu's inviting cross. 

Brenden Aaronson spurned a glorious opportunity to hand Daniel Farke's side the lead in the first half, but his shot blazed over Bernd Leno's crossbar. 

The in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin then went close after the break, but he could only find the side netting from close range after being found by Aaronson down the right.

Fulham were unable to involve Harry Wilson in the game, with the Welshman perhaps fortunate to escape with just a yellow card for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson.

The hosts became more of a threat from set-pieces as the game reached the closing stages, with Pascal Struijk and Nmecha both heading over from corner kicks. 

But just like in the reverse fixture, where Gudmundsson's late own goal handed Fulham all three points, more late drama unfolded, but this time in Leeds' favour. 

Nmecha brilliantly hooked Ampadu's cross beyond Leno to spark wild scenes among the home fans inside Elland Road, with belief growing of maintaining their top-flight status.

Data Debrief: Leeds and Fulham star in another late show

Both teams arrived into this game with confidence after a run of solid results in all competitions, but as was seen in their previous meeting, it was another late intervention that decided the outcome of the contest. 

Indeed, after Nmecha's winner today, and Gudmundsson's own goal at Craven Cottage in September, Leeds v Fulham is just the second Premier League fixture to see both home sides score a 90th minute winner in a single campaign after Leeds v Norwich City in 1994-95.

And timed at 90 minutes and seven seconds, Nmecha's goal was Leeds' first stoppage time winner in a Premier League game since Jack Harrison netted at 93:19 against Brentford on the final day of the 2021-22 season.

Leeds were worthy of their win, though, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 1.45 from their 14 shots to Fulham's measly 0.39 from their eight attempts. The Cottagers also had just seven touches in the Leeds box, their fewest in a Premier League game since December 2024, when they had three against Arsenal.