Leeds United secured their third win of the Premier League season on Friday night, and it came just at the right time for Daniel Farke’s men, who made four changes to his starting line-up.
Pressure was starting to build on Daniel Farke. Aidy White said Farke needed a win before the November break while LeedsUnited.News understands the pressure was set to ramp up on Farke if West Ham won.
But that has all evaporated for the time being. Farke watched his side beat West Ham comfortably, with the Hammers only scoring in injury time. His decision to make four changes paid off on Friday night.
One was Ao Tanaka, who started his first game since the defeat to Arsenal, in which the Japan star picked up a knee injury. Since, the midfield has consisted of Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAo Tanaka breaks all-time Leeds record with win over West Ham
Tanaka is a fan favourite, and with Stach struggling for form of late, Farke decided to bring Tanaka into the starting line-up. Stach had been playing with a broken finger and a rib injury, Farke opting to rest him.
But Tanaka, lasting 72 minutes on the night, broke an all-time record in Leeds’ history by starting in the victory. No other Leeds player, ever, has won as many as 18 of their first 20 league starts at Elland Road.
Opta’s Jonny Cooper reports: “Ao Tanaka’s 20th league start at Elland Road and the 18th time he’s ended on the winning side – an all-time Leeds record for wins in a player’s first 20 league starts at Elland Road.”
Today was Ao Tanaka’s 20th league start at Elland Road and the 18th time he’s ended on the winning side in those games – an all-time #lufc record for wins in a player’s first 20 league starts at Elland Road. pic.twitter.com/Tu7KlFgoKO
— Jonny Cooper (@JRCooper26) October 24, 2025
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Ao Tanaka’s stats in Leeds United’s win against West Ham
Tanaka continues to prove that he is of Premier League standard despite costing Leeds a bargain fee of just £3.4m, a little over a year ago. Düsseldorf must be kicking themselves having sold Tanaka so cheaply.
Tanaka’s start comes after complaining of a lack of game time. He will be delighted to start again, and to top it off, the only Leeds player to win as many as 18 league games in his first 20 Elland Road starts.
Ao Tanaka’s stats for Leeds in win against West Ham:
72 minutes played, 6.5 FotMob ratingXG+XA: 0.08, three touches in West Ham box37 touches, 25/29 successful passes (85%)Three defensive contributions, one interceptionOne duel won, two lost
The likelihood is that come Brighton next Saturday, Tanaka will be in the starting line-up and retain his place ahead of Stach. While a win was key against West Ham, Brighton away will be a much tougher test.