Tasting the rarified air at the top of the Championship for the first time this season won’t be enough for Leeds.
They want more and for boss Daniel Farke and his players, not to mention a waiting crowd, that means landing an instant return to the Premier League and, perhaps, the title too.
It will take time, but this latest success further strengthens hopes that automatic promotion is in sight.
It took Leeds 38 games to climb into first place, but this comfortable victory against a tenacious Millwall side finally toppled Leicester.
The Foxes were 17 points clear of Leeds at the end of December but have faltered, winning just one of their last five. Farke’s team have now equalized, despite having a game in hand.
Daniel Farke’s side move into league title lead and eye automatic promotion
Willy Gnonto opened the scoring for Leeds as Farke’s side overcame an in-form Millwall
Gnoto found the net with a left-footed shot from 20 yards that flew into the bottom corner
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Where Enzo Maresca’s side have faltered, Leeds are now unbeaten in 13 league matches since the start of the year.
This rich run of form saw them collect 12 wins and concede just three goals. This proves a certain charge on the part of Farke’s men.
Millwall, resurgent under Neil Harris after taking 10 points from their previous four games following his return to the club, fought valiantly. In the end, however, class showed as Willy Gnonto scored a sensational first-half opener before substitute Dan James added a late second.
Although Farke’s men did enough to grab three more points, it was not a vintage display. Again, this was not necessary.
The German boss said: “I’m quite proud of the boys because it was a different challenge. It’s difficult to create chances against Millwall and it’s important not to give up, so it was a mature performance.
“I’m really happy with these three invaluable points and I’m going to enjoy it a bit. If you don’t, one day you will wonder why you are doing all this hard work.
“It’s important to stay on that. We want to be in a good position after 46 games, so we need to earn a lot more points.
Don’t underestimate the work Farke has done to steady the ship at Elland Road and make Leeds a formidable Championship team.
Dan James settled the match 11 minutes from time to put Leeds top of the Championship
Millwall manager Neil Harris recognized Leeds’ quality and predicted their promotion
When he arrived last summer, there was turmoil everywhere after the shipwreck caused by relegation, players jumping ship and a change of ownership.
Farke guided Norwich to promotion from this division as two-time title winners. He knows what it takes to escape and has built a strong collective spirit within his talented young team.
Millwall made life difficult for long periods, however, and their physical approach made for a spirited affair, with four visiting players booked and three from Leeds.
Half-chances came and went for Leeds before Gnonto’s opener in the 33rd minute.
Georginio Rutter found the Italian and he created space to unleash a powerful left-footed shot from 20 yards that flew into the corner of the net.
The hosts also saw two first-half penalty appeals turned down and Crysencio Summerville curled a right-footed shot from 20 yards, which forced a fine save from Matija Sarkic.
Leeds continued to gain the upper hand and almost got a second in the 66th minute.
Junior Firpo crossed from the left flank and Rutter’s right-footed shot drew a smart save from Sarkic before his follow-up hit a post.
Farke transformed Leeds into a formidable Championship team despite initial troubles
But the goal they needed to take the lead finally came 11 minutes from time when Rutter found James unmarked. The substitute steadied himself before firing a low right-footed shot which sent Elland Road wild.
Harris said: “Leeds deserved to win the game and there was no doubt about that, but there were elements of our performance that were very good.
“Leeds are a Premier League club in waiting who should be in the Premier League.
“They have the resources to do it and they will succeed, in my opinion.”
It should be a fight, but this latest victory added to the feeling that a united Leeds couldn’t time their race to the finish line better.