Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas react to Karl Darlow’s Leeds United, Elland Road message | OneFootball

Former teammates have praised the Whites’ shot stopper on social media

Teammates past and present have flocked to support Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow on social media, following the Whites’ 2-1 victory over Preston North End.

The Welsh international keeper has been called up between the sticks for Leeds’ previous three fixtures, following repeated unsteady performances from Illan Meslier.

Manor Solomon opened the scoring at Elland Road within the first five minutes, with Preston North End’s Kaine Kesler-Hayden drawing level soon after. The top-heavy affair saw Jayden Bogle regain the Leeds lead in the thirteenth minute.

Leeds then saw out the remainder of the encounter unhinged, holding their nerve to make it successive league victories and regain their spot at the top of the table as news spread around Elland Road of Sheffield United's late collapse to lose 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle.

Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas react to Karl Darlow's Leeds United message

Darlow took to Instagram after the victory to celebrate a huge three points for Leeds in the promotion race.

“Huge win! That Elland Road noise” wrote the 34-year old shot stopper on his page.

Previous colleagues Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper came to Darlow’s praises in the comment section. “Outstanding,” and “Bravo Karlos,” the pair shared respectively.

Darlow joined the Elland Road outfit for an undisclosed fee in summer 2023 from Newcastle United. The outing against Preston North End was only his fifth league outing in Leeds United colours.

The Northampton-born keeper graduated from the Nottingham Forest academy in 2010, having also spent time in the youth set up at Aston Villa.

Loan spells at Newport County and Walsall preceded Darlow’s breakthrough into Nottingham Forest’s 2012/13 Championship squad, from which he joined the Newcastle books in 2014. He spent the season back on loan at the City Ground, before making his Magpies debut the following season.

Daniel Farke’s huge Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier call should comfort Leeds United nerves

As the Championship season heads into its defining stretch, Karl Darlow’s calming influence could be exactly what Leeds United need to stay on course.

The decision by Daniel Farke to sideline Meslier may have initially raised eyebrows, but the results speak for themselves: three wins from three, a return to the top of the table, and a growing sense of defensive assurance.

Darlow may not be a long-term fix - and few would argue he was signed with promotion runs in mind - but right now, he’s proving to be the right man at the right moment.

His command of the box, vocal leadership, and experience have steadied a Leeds side that’s often teetered between brilliance and fragility.

With goal difference the only thing separating them from second-placed Burnley, every moment of composure matters.

Leeds fans all well know the path to the Premier League is rarely straightforward, but Darlow’s recent performances have shown a figure they can trust - even if only for a while.