By Paul Jones

Dan James has been described as a “top-class human being” – as well as a pretty decent footballer – by his Leeds United manager Daniel Farke:

Wales star James marked his 100th Leeds appearance with a crucial goal as his side beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Elland Road to regain top spot in the Sky Bet Championship.

James fired home superbly in the second half after Max Wober’s own goal had cancelled out Willy Gnonto’s opener. Brenden Aaronson added Leeds’ third in stoppage time.

Phenomenal night! Great win!

Dan James is #lufc @HisenseUK pic.twitter.com/Ci2lfKqcVU

— Leeds, That! (@leedsthat) December 11, 2024

It means Farke’s side, who who made it eight straight home wins, sit two points clear of Sheffield United who play their game in hand at Millwall on Wednesday.

“What he [James] has done for us as a club is excellent. He’s a top-class human being,” said Farke about the Wales winger.

“We’re all happy that we have him and rightly so, on such a special day for him, he delivered such a good performance.

“He’s a key player for us. He’s so important. Especially since I’ve been his manager, he’s always chipped in with end products, his goals and assists.

“He’s important for our pressing, he’s important for counter-attacks and sometimes he also drives the game forward.

“He chips in at decisive moments with crucial goals, quite often the first goal or to make it 2-1 – the decisive ones.

“I want to say congratulations to Middlesbrough for a really good away performance.

“That makes our win even sweeter because I think we’ve played against an excellent side and we deserved to win this game.”

Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick admitted: “I am disappointed with the result, yes. I thought the game was right in the balance really, second half.

“In some ways it was where we wanted it. We had a really good spell and looked like, and felt like to be honest, that we could go on and win the game.

“We were doing loads of good things and came back into the game. We’re bitterly disappointed to lose it in the end, for sure.

“We’re striving to be closer to the top of the league and the way the boys are bitterly disappointed not to have more can be taken as a positive.”

Boro’s own promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they slipped to a seventh league defeat of the season and are eight points adrift of the top two.

James, who reached a century of games for the Whites in all competitions, dragged an early shot wide and was prominent in the build-up to his side’s opening goal.

The Wales winger scampered clear down the right on to Sam Byram’s pass and from his cross Mateo Joseph’s effort was saved, only for goalkeeper Seny Dieng’s attempted clearance to rebound off Gnonto and into the net.

Joseph just failed to latch on to another ball in across the face of goal from James as Leeds chased a second goal.

The visitors began to get a foothold as the first half progressed and it was James who snuffed out the danger in a rare Boro attack, covering as sweeper in his own penalty area to pinch the ball off Neto Borges.

Boro resumed with more purpose and after Riley McGree’s rising angled effort had been well saved by Illan Meslier, the visitors were rewarded with a lucky break when Wober headed Daniel Barlaser’s corner into his own net.

Desperate Dan . . . James Ready To Make Up For Lost Time With Wales

While the visitors grew in stature, Leeds were almost punished for another mistake. After Ao Tanaka was dispossessed, Finn Azaz picked out Ben Doak on the edge of the area and it took a crucial save from Meslier to keep the home side level.

Tanaka almost made amends, intercepting in midfield and teeing up James who was superbly denied by Dieng.

Leeds regained the lead in the 74th minute. Boro gave away the ball in their own half and were made to pay as Joel Piroe slipped in James, who charged into the box and slammed an emphatic finish into the far corner.

There was even better news for Wales when Ethan Ampadu made his first appearance since September off the bench after recovering from a knee injury before Aaronson sealed the win in added time, teed up by Tanaka after another free-flowing move.