Could you explain what "have their noses" means in this sentence?
GOAL! Leeds have their noses in front
Bamford flashed a ball across goal and there was £25 summer signing Aaronson was there to turn home from close range in the 74th minute. (The Telegraph: Leeds United vs Wolves, August 6, 2022)
@dwi If a team has their noses on front, they have taken the lead in the match. here the goal is scored in the 74th minute, so there is not long to play. Leeds are just in front, just in the lead as the end of the game approaches. The phrase is from horse racing, where horses can lead or win by a nose, a head, a length etc.
What does 'noses' mean?
To win by a nose in horse racing means to win by a really short distance. To have their noses in front means being in front by a short distance or in football by one goal. A team cannot have their noses in front when they score to go two or more goals ahead for example.