Leeds (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Leeds survived a major VAR controversy against Tottenham on Saturday before striking late through substitute Noah Okafor to end the visitors’ winning run.

Swiss winger Okafor scored 97 seconds after being introduced late in the game as the home side were rewarded for an impressive second-half performance.

The major talking point in the first period was a challenge by Leeds defender Jayden Bogle on Spurs winger Mathys Tel, which was reviewed for a potential red card by VAR officials before eventually being cleared.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, disappointed by his team’s second-half showing, refused to be drawn on the incident after the game, which was not reviewed on the pitchside monitor by referee John Brooks.

“In the first situation of Mathys Tel I didn’t see, I can’t say nothing,” he told TNT Sports.

He added: “I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to watch the clip or not. I think there was the VAR and if they didn’t take the right decision, I don’t know, but we have confidence.”

Defeat is a bitter blow for Spurs, who arrived at Elland Road on the back of three straight wins after a shocking start to the season left them bottom of the Premier League.

Leeds, on the eve of the international break, have snapped a five-match winless run and climbed to eighth in the table ahead of the later matches on Saturday.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke said his team had shown “great spirit, great commitment, great unity today”, adding that they were deserving winners.

- VAR flashpoint -

The home side started brightly and Spurs breathed a sigh of relief in the early minutes when VAR ruled that Mateus Fernandes had not handled the ball in the penalty area.

As the first half wore on the visitors established themselves, though clear chances were at a premium.

Tel was caught on the ankle by the studs of Bogle in the 34th minute, leading to a VAR check of more than four minutes.

But the referee’s original decision stood after it was deemed there was a lack of speed going into the tackle and Bogle escaped without even a yellow card.

Minutes later Tel had to leave the field, replaced by Dominic Solanke.

Leeds started the second half on the front foot and created a number of good chances – Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header was blocked before Ao Tanaka blasted over the bar.

Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky produced a wonderful fingertip save after Sean Longstaff’s swivel and shot as pressure mounted on lacklustre Spurs.

Leeds finally got the reward their pressure deserved in the 79th minute, when Okafor lashed past the helpless Kinsky after combining with fellow substitute Harry Wilson.

Spurs came agonisingly close to an equaliser in stoppage time but James Trafford made a brilliant save to keep out Jan Paul van Hecke’s header.

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