11/07/2026 08:39:00
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11/07 08:37 CST Sub Noah Okafor strikes in 97 seconds as Leeds edges Spurs amid
VAR controversy
Sub Noah Okafor strikes in 97 seconds as Leeds edges Spurs amid VAR controversy
By DANIELLA MATAR
AP Sports Writer
Substitute Noah Okafor had an immediate impact as he sent Leeds to a 1-0 win
over Tottenham on Saturday in a Premier League match marked by controversy.
Okafor had been on the field for only 97 seconds when he gave Leeds the lead in
the 79th minute. A throw-in was headed on by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry
Wilson pushed the ball into Okafor's path to drive home.
It was Leeds' first victory since a 4-1 rout of Newcastle almost two months ago
and lifted the team into eighth, two points above Spurs --- which had been
looking for its fourth straight win after none from their first six matches.
Tottenham will feel Leeds should have played the second half with 10 men after
a nasty challenge by Jayden Bogle on Mathys Tel in the 34th minute. It wasn't
malicious but the late tackle saw Bogle's studs land on the trailing ankle of
Tel, leaving the Tottenham forward writhing in agony.
A long VAR check for a possible red card for Bogle ended with no action deemed
necessary. Tel tried to continue but had to come off a few minutes later.
Elsewhere, Arsenal was hosting Hull and looking to extend its three-point lead
at the top of the Premier League. Second-place Manchester City was visiting
relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest and hoping to avoid a third straight
defeat.
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