Leeds pulled nine points clear of the relegation zone after beating lifeless Burnley 3-1 at Elland Road, taking a huge step towards Premier League safety.
Burnley, already relegated and managerless after Scott Parker left earlier this week, have just three games remaining of their miserable campaign and can still be caught by bottom club Wolves, who sit three points behind. Daniel Farke’s side, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last six and can finally start looking up instead of down.
Anton Stach set the tone with a stunning long-range opener, catching Martin Dúbravka out, and Leeds’ intensity took the game away from a passive Burnley in the second period. Noah Okafor then rounded off a sweeping team move to end any futile resistance from Mike Jackson’s side. Dominic Calvert-Lewin rubbed salt in the wound by turning home the rebound from a sharp Ao Tanaka effort four minutes later, making the game as good as over.
Just as the visitors appeared completely drained of effort, Loum Tchaouna struck to make the scoreline slightly more respectable. Burnley improved after the break but were no match for a Leeds team whose determination to survive was clear from the first whistle.
Leeds move above Newcastle in the table and draw level on 43 points with Crystal Palace in 13th — no team has ever been relegated with such a total. What a job Farke has done.
Sensational Stach
Four of Anton Stach’s five Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box — no player has more from range this term. Stach levelled with Antoine Semenyo and Dominik Szoboszlai for the most long-range goals this season against Leeds.
Player ratings (selected)
Leeds: Darlow 6, Struijk 6, Bijol 7, Rodon 6, Justin 7, Bogle 7, Tanaka 6, Ampadu 7, Stach 8, Okafor 7, Calvert-Lewin 7. Subs: Nmecha 6, Aaronson 6, Longstaff 6, James n/a, Gnonto n/a.
Burnley: Dúbravka 5, Walker 5, Ekdal 6, Esteve 6, Humphreys 5, Hartman 5, Tchaouna 7, Laurent 6, Ward-Prowse 6, Anthony 6, Flemming 5. Subs: Hannibal 5, Pires 5, Luis 5, Amdouni n/a, Broja n/a.
Player of the Match: Anton Stach.
Player of the match: Anton Stach
Jamie Redknapp called Anton Stach one of the signings of the season on Sky Sports’ Friday Night Football. His modest £18m transfer fee looks better value by the week. Against Burnley, Stach created the most chances (3), had the joint-most touches in the opposition box (5) and took the most shots (5) of any player, despite only playing 72 minutes after returning from injury.
Ability with both feet, from open play and set-pieces, sets him apart. Only Bruno Fernandes has created more chances than Stach in the Premier League this season. His command of the middle third balances well with the combativeness of captain Ethan Ampadu — another standout display in a stellar debut season.
Farke example of keeping faith in a manager
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp: “Full credit to Daniel Farke. He took a lot of stick earlier in the season. They brought in good players, but the fact they stuck with him is a good example of not making rash decisions. When you get that connection with the fans, it gives you a good chance. It will be interesting to see next year. Do they put more money in and keep building?”
Farke delights in uniting Leeds
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke: “The three points are massive for us. I’m really proud of my boys for delivering in a crunch time period — also with the additional load of important cup games, we had to play a long away win at West Ham, one game at Wembley. A few players had some problems, but to deliver 10 points out of the last four games in a nervy period, as a newly-promoted side, is second to none. Of course, it was a massive step for us tonight.
“When I walked into Elland Road, it was a different scenario. Everyone was divided. But I said on my first day that this club is always at its best when, as the name says, Leeds United. From owner, to chairman, to every board and staff member who works in the stadium, we need a big togetherness. The job is not done yet. We will celebrate properly when it’s mathematically done. But 43 points is good.”
Ampadu on Burnley ‘revenge’
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu: “We’re delighted. Personally for us the last couple of years, we haven’t been able to beat Burnley. So we wanted revenge. We have 43 points, we don’t know what that means, but we like to think we’ve put ourselves in a good position. We’re going to enjoy the weekend. We wanted to give the fans a bank holiday weekend to enjoy. We have three more games, hopefully we can have three more good results. [Daniel Farke] gives everyone the confidence, the license to play with freedom and structure. We’re always well prepared for any game.”
What’s next
Leeds have three fixtures remaining as they aim to secure Premier League safety. Burnley head into the final games of a relegation-hit season with hopes of finishing on a stronger note.