LEEDS UNITED striker Billy Sharp admitted he expected Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias to make an error in the Teessiders’ 1-0 defeat.

The 28-year-old scored on his Leeds debut, taking advantage of Mejias’ mistake to prod home after the Spaniard failed to keep hold of Michael Tonge’s long-range shot, continuing the striker’s impressive record of goals against Boro.

“I just had a feeling the keeper was going to drop one, I thought he was going to in the first half but I managed to get onto this one and tap it in from two yards which I like to do,”

said Sharp, who scored goals against Boro while representing Southampton and Doncaster in the past.

“He’s not usually in the net for Middlesbrough, I think it was only his second game, so I did want the lads to have more shots. I should have probably had one in the first half.

“As a striker you’ve just got to keep gambling, especially after missing one a little earlier.

“Luckily for me I got the chance.”

Sharp was a midweek signing for Dave Hockaday’s side, moving from Southampton to his home county of Yorkshire, and the Sheffield-born hitman was delighted to make his move to Elland Road.

“It’s a superb club, the fans are amazing and I just wanted to show how delighted I was when I scored and try and get rid of the ‘fat lad’ tag I’ve got – or rather, I’ve made myself, but hopefully I’ve got rid of it now,” said Sharp, who took his shirt off when he scored the winner in front of the Don Revie Stand. “I’ll take the yellow card (shirt off). Obviously you’re not supposed to do it but I was overjoyed.

“I won’t do it every time but for the first one I was more than happy to do it.

“Middlesbrough are a really good side and they’ll be up near the top end of the table so to beat them at home with a clean sheet is a really good win for us.

“The gaffer has said this is our stadium and we need to make sure people don’t want to come here.

“Middlesbrough know they’ve been in a game and I’m just happy for all the lads that we’ve taken the three points.”

And what about that record against Middlesbrough? “I don’t know what it is against Boro,” said Sharp.

“I like to perform against every single club but for some reason I do seem to score against Middlesbrough.

“Did it for Southampton, Doncaster and now Leeds – but any goal’s a good goal for me and I’m happy to take them.”