Forget Ao Tanaka, another Leeds United star has been a revelation in end-of-season run-in

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Leeds United are one step away from the title after a 4-0 hammering of Bristol City.

The hosts were in party mode at Elland Road but still have work to do in order to be crowned Championship champions.

All Leeds need to do now is match Burnley’s result to win the league and Daniel Farke is dreaming big ahead of the Whites’ Premier League return.

Ao Tanaka has been one of the main reason behind Leeds’ success this season. The midfielder, who was named in the Championship Team of the Season, opened the scoring against Bristol City on Monday night and was at the heartbeat of all things great.

He’s been outstanding in the end-of-season run-in, but there’s one other player who deserves their flowers too.

• READ MORE: Leeds United vs Bristol City player ratings with three 9/10 stars producing magic for Daniel Farke’s side

Karl Darlow has helped get Leeds over the line

Karl Darlow has had to be patient this season but, when Ilan Meslier was dropped by Daniel Farke, Darlow knew his time was now.

The Wales international first came into the starting XI for a 1-1 draw against Luton Town, in what was their third consecutive draw.

Since then, Leeds have won five games in a row, conceding only once more in that period.

Not only that, the 34-year-old has pulled off some vital saves at crucial moments and for all the attacking prowess at Elland Road, has somewhat gone under the radar.

Tanaka has been Leeds’ star of the season however, in isolation, Darlow has been the most important addition to the starting XI in recent weeks and the reason why they are likely to cross the finish line in pole position.

Daniel Farke has been very impressed with Karl Darlow

It was a bold call from Farke to replace his number one at a crunch point in the season but Darlow repaid his faith and stepped up when needed.

There’s every chance that Leeds go on to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer but his manager has been extremely impressed with the 34-year-old, as he said after the win against Middlesbrough in April.

“Karl is very experienced and cool and calm goalkeeper, very reliable,” said the German. “But it’s still not that easy for a goalkeeper when you’re not really in your rhythm, because in the league he had not played many games before.

“For that – I wasn’t nervous, I was convinced he could deliver – but of course, you are hoping for a bit of luck in a few situations in the first few games.”