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Noah Okafor was the match-winner for Leeds United as they recorded a much-needed 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.
Okafor, 26, struck less than two minutes after coming on as the Whites earned a first win in five matches and moved back into the Premier League top-half.
The Switzerland international, who missed the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth last time out with an adductor issue, was introduced as a 77th minute substitute at Elland Road.
He replaced Lukas Nmecha, who started as the left forward, looking to make an impact and help his side find a breakthrough after finding the Tottenham defence a hard nut to crack.
And just 97 seconds after his introduction, Okafor found the net. He combined with Harry Wilson inside the left channel before finding some space and slamming the ball past Antonin Kinksy.
It was a piece of quality and invention that was missing from Leeds, and there is no doubt that Okafor should be starting week-in-week out when fit.
He is someone that can create a chance out of nowhere and is Leeds' most potent attacker, barring Dominic Calvert-Lewin, of course. Lukas Nmecha worked hard and is a good back-up option, but Okafor, who scored eight goals last season, is the best Farke has in that position.
With Okafor coming back in and showing that he should be in Farke's XI, Jean-Matteo Bahoya's Leeds career could now be over. The Frenchman, 21, who joined the Whites on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, was left out of the 20-man squad to face Tottenham.
But Bahoya has played just 11 minutes for Leeds since his arrival, making three appearances in the process. He came on as a late substitute in the defeat at Bournemouth, but was unable to impact the game as the Whites were beaten at the Vitality Stadium.
There is no doubt Bahoya has talent, having showed that in glimpses at Frankfurt, but he has been unable to show that since he moved to Leeds. He might not be showing enough in training, but what is clear is that Farke isn't having him right now.
| Bahoya for Leeds |
|
|---|---|
| Appearances |
3 |
| Minutes |
11 |
| Starts |
0 |
| Unused sub |
5 |
| Left out of squad |
1 |
With Leeds scoring just once in three matches prior to the win against Tottenham, it did feel as though Farke should have been using Bahoya more. But the German provided a 10-minute explanation last month on the reason the forward isn't getting more minutes.
Farke outlined the fact he is a "young lad still getting used to the Premier League" but reiterated he does "love" Bahoya and that he is going to get his chance.
At this stage, it doesn't look promising for Bahoya, however. While Leeds were struggling in attack, he wasn't called up and that felt like the perfect time for him to get more game time.
For now, Bahoya is going to have to bide his time, but his Leeds career might be over before it even got started, especially if Frankfurt consider recalling him in January.
Okafor should start for Leeds on the left-hand side with Nmecha as back-up and Bahoya down as third-choice, though Brenden Aaronson could even be in front of the ex-Angers man.