Category: Leeds United

Plymouth Argyle 1 – 2 Leeds United – HT 1-0 

S. Byram (18′ og)    W. Gnonto (53′) 

M. Solomon (90’+1)

Assists 

W. Gnonto (90’+1)

Venue: Home Park – Attendance: 16,758 

Back as champions. 

Manor Solomon‘s stoppage-time winner secured Leeds United the Championship title as they won 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle, whose relegation was confirmed. 

With Burnley beating Millwall 3-1, Leeds takes the title on goal difference having secured promotion back to the Premier League last month, after two seasons away. 

Argyle took the lead when the impressive Mustapha Bundu’s shot came back off the post and went in off Sam Byram – just moments after the Plymouth forward had clipped the Leeds upright. 

Leeds, who topped the table going into the final day, were repeatedly frustrated by a dogged Plymouth side until early in the second half when Willy Gnonto fired in Solomon‘s cross. 

The visitors had a Joel Piroe goal ruled out for offside with 17 minutes to go as Daniel Farke‘s side hunted the winner they knew was required to secure the title. 

But just as it seemed they would have to settle for second place, Solomon cut in from the left and fired low into the bottom corner to send the travelling Leeds fans wild and set up a trophy lift celebration after the final whistle. 

Leeds started well as Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson saw efforts saved by Conor Hazard before they fell behind. 

Bundu had given Leeds a warning a minute before the goal as he beat three men before blasting an effort that grazed the outside of the post. 

When the resurgent Sierra Leone forward cut in from the left moments later, the net did bulge as his low effort came back off the far post and bounced in off a helpless Byram. 

Piroe almost equalised within a couple of minutes when he turned Jayden Bogle‘s shot over the bar from six yards as Leeds tried to restore parity quickly. 

Byram, Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto all had half-chances, but Leeds failed to create another really good opening before the interval. 

Well we were made to sweat, but the injury time goal gave us the title we did deserved with 100 points, the same as Burnley, but our huge goal difference was the extra point. 

Though we had this huge goal difference, I still think we need a striker who is regularly scoring goals. 

Let’s enjoy this and break the trend of teams being promoted coming straight back down. 

Marching On Together. 

League position 1st after 46 games – After 46 games last season, Leeds were 3rd 

Leeds United 6 Stoke City 0 – HT 5-0 

J. Piroe (6′, 8′, 20′, 41′) 

J. Firpo (26′) 

W. Gnonto (59′) 

Assists – 

M. Solomon (6′, 59′),  

J. Bogle (8′) 

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,644 

Were back where we belong and thankfully via promotion and not the dreaded play-offs. 

 Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes as Leeds United tore apart Stoke City on a day when their promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed. 

 The Whites‘ place in the topflight next season was secured later on Monday when Burnley beat third-placed Sheffield United, a win which also sent the Clarets up. 

 The hosts made an electric start at a buoyant Elland Road as Piroe scored twice in the first eight minutes after poor defensive play from the visitors. 

 Things went from bad to worse for the Potters when the Dutchman, the league’s top scorer, completed his treble from close range, before Junior Firpo bundled in a fourth and Piroe made it 5-0 at half-time. 

 The pace predictably dropped off after the interval, but Willy Gnonto headed in the sixth from Manor Solomon’s whipped cross from the left. 

 Stoke arrived at Elland Road unbeaten in five but this damaging defeat means they could yet get dragged back into relegation trouble. 

 Former Swansea man Piroe had failed to score in his nine previous games but ended his near three-month drought inside six minutes with a composed finish after Stoke coughed up possession 20 yards from their own goal. 

 The Potters were then caught out at the back again just two minutes later as Jayden Bogle pinched the ball and teed up Piroe for his second. 

 Two became three for Piroe and the rampant hosts when he hammered in at an angle from a rebound and Firpo got his fourth of the season from close in. 

 Piroe made it 5-0 before the break with another scrappy effort as Stoke totally fell apart. 

 Mark Robins made three changes at the break to try and stem the tide, and his men at least managed to keep the score down in the second half. 

 The nature of the sixth goal summed up Stoke’s miserable day. They cleared an initial corner in but then got no pressure on the ball as Solomon was allowed to cut in on his right foot and hit a shot towards the back post that an unmarked Gnonto was able to head in from close in. 

 Leeds brought on 16-year-old Harry Gray, brother of Tottenham’s Archie and great-nephew of Leeds legend Eddie, for his debut in the final few moments. 

 What a performance and then the great news in the evening when Burnley victory over Sheffield United allowed us to go up. 

 It will be great go up as champions, but Burnley will push us all the way, the only team to beat us at Fortress Elland Road. 

 Now we need to buck the trend of the last two seasons when the promoted sides have come back down the following season. 

 Even we know we scored 6 goals today and have a huge goal difference which is an extra point at this later stage of the season, we need a new striker who scores goals regularly. 

 Marching on Together. 

 League position 1st after 44 games – Promoted!! 

Luton Town 1 – Leeds United 1 – HT 1-1

I. Jones (15′)     D. James (28′)

Assists

Clark (15′)

Venue: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 11,867

Daniel James‘ fine strike rescued a point for Leeds United at relegation-threatened Luton Town as the Whites missed a chance to claim top spot in the Championship.

Isaiah Jones had volleyed the Hatters in front as they sought to build on a run of results that has lifted fans’ hopes they can escape back-to-back relegations, but James produced a moment of quality to level.

The draw means Matt Bloomfield’s side have now lost just one of their past six, although the loss of striker Elijah Adebayo to injury will be a worry to the Luton manager.

Leeds knew a win in the early kick-off would mean leapfrogging Sheffield United into top spot, but Manor Solomon missed a great chance to win it late in the game.

It means Daniel Farke‘s side have now drawn three successive league matches and only won once in six games.

The result, and Burnley’s win at Coventry, means that Leeds, having looked to be near certainties to win automatic promotion six weeks ago, are now reliant on Sheffield United or Burnley dropping points if they are to claim a top-two placing at the end of the season.

Farke dropped goalkeeper Illan Meslier after a series of high-profile mistakes, drafting in Karl Darlow in his place.

As mentioned, what a dreadful few weeks, Leeds have had, looking certain to go up and most likely as champions. Were now struggling to even get a point and are now outside the automation promotion places, which is not good with our play-off record.

Marching On Together.

League position 3rd after 40 games – After 40 games last season, Leeds were 2nd

Leeds United 1 – West Bromwich Albion 1 – HT 1-1

J. Firpo (9′)         D. Furlong (39′)

Assists

D. James (9′)     J. Swift (39′)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,705

West Bromwich Albion ended leaders Leeds United‘s five-game winning Championship run as they came from behind to earn a point.

Junior Firpo headed Leeds into an early lead, but fellow defender Darnell Furlong nodded in a leveller six minutes before the break.

Leeds are now six points clear at the top going into the afternoon games, which include second-placed Sheffield United’s trip to Queens Park Rangers.

But a draw was a fair outcome – the Baggies’ 16th in 35 league games this season, more than any other Championship team – and their second of the campaign against Leeds.

Leeds had an early let-off when, from Isaac Price’s pass, John Swift scuffed his low right-foot shot just past the post. And, just two minutes later, the hosts took full advantage.

Wales winger Daniel James cut in down the left to deliver a wickedly dipping cross from his right foot – and Firpo rose at the near post to head home his third goal of the season, and second of the week, having also netted in Monday’s late win over the Blades which was his first at Elland Road in just over two years.

But Albion levelled with a header of their own.

Swift’s deep free-kick from the right was swung beyond the far post – and Furlong went aerial for his first goal since 4 May, looping an angled header back over the head of stranded keeper Illan Meslier and inside the right upright.

Mikey Johnston engineered another opening for Furlong on 70 minutes but this time the free-roving Albion full-back powered an acrobatic header just over from close range.

Tom Fellows was stopped by Joe Rodon‘s challenge when he went clear with a late chance for the Albion, while at the other end Leeds substitute Mateo Joseph struck the bar following a driving run in the box and James also went close.

But neither side could find a winner as the two sides drew for the second time this season following a desperate goalless draw at The Hawthorns in August.

We can’t drop points at home, we need to win the home games, as we can’t afford not to get promoted automatically due to our dreadful play-off record.

Come on Leeds.

Marching On Together.

League position 1st after 35 games – After 35 games last season, Leeds were 2^nd

Leeds United 7 – Cardiff City 0 – HT 2-0

B. Aaronson (6′),

M. Solomon (13′),

D. James (50′),

J. Piroe (65′ pen, 90’+5),

W. Gnonto (67′),

Mateo Joseph (88′).

Assists –

D. James (6′, 13′),

J. Firpo (50′, 88′, 90’+5),

A. Tanaka (67)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 35,810

WOW WOW WOW

League leaders Leeds United maintained their advantage at the top of the Championship as a dominant display earned them a stunning win over Cardiff City at Elland Road.

The hosts made a dream start with Dan James providing two assists inside 13 minutes as Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon both finished from close-range.

James got a deserved goal after converting Junior Firpo’s inviting cross and the Wales winger also won a penalty on 65 minutes, converted coolly by Joel Piroe.

Rampant Leeds scored a fifth when sub Wilfried Gnonto glided through the Cardiff defence and finished precisely from the edge of the penalty area and Mateo Joseph added a sixth after 88 minutes.

Cardiff’s humiliation was completed in the final minute of added time as former Swansea striker Piroe scored his second goal of the game to ensure their heaviest league defeat since 1966.

Both managers made two changes to their starting XIs as two of the form sides in the Championship met at a ground that has generally been a happy hunting spot for the Bluebirds.

Cardiff headed to Elland Road not only unbeaten in nine games, but having lost just one of their previous 13 away league games at Leeds, winning seven times.

However, Leeds, unbeaten in 11, are currently the team to beat in the second tier and they underlined that status by punishing the visiting Bluebirds from almost the first whistle with Wales winger James taking the role of chief tormentor.

He provided the opener as he raced clear and kept his composure after rounding the Cardiff goalkeeper, picking out a perfect pass for Aaronson to convert.

Leeds can be a force at Elland Road and defend a lead like no other side in the division and were soon 2-0 ahead as Piroe’s pass sent James clear and his excellent cross was converted at the back post by Tottenham loanee Soloman.

The hosts looked like they might score every time they attacked and Firpo dragged wide, Jak Alnwick saved from James and Piroe saw a 20-yard effort flash past the upright in a half that also saw a James effort ruled out for offside against Solomon.

Leeds were levels above Cardiff in a first half where the Bluebirds did not even get a sniff at goal with Illan Meslier a virtual spectator until the 44th minute when Anwar El Ghazi sent an apologetic effort his way from 25 yards.

Cardiff have showed renewed resilience in recent weeks and had been on their best run of the season, but were simply outclassed by Leeds in every regard as the hosts added a third on 50 minutes after Firpo’s brilliant cross was turned home by James following a fine passing move.

The Bluebirds were in damage limitation mode but went 4-0 down after Callum O’Dowda fouled former Swansea winger James and Piroe slotted home the penalty.

Gnonto then added a brilliant fifth as he sliced through Cardiff’s defence and fired the ball back across goal into the corner.

Cardiff keeper Alnwick made several saves, while Piroe and Largie Ramazani could also have added to the tally.

However, there was to be a sixth goal as Joseph finished from another brilliant Firpo cross, with Piroe adding to Cardiff’s torment with virtually the final kick of one of the most one-sided football matches of the season.

WOW WOW WOW

What a performance by the team, making a huge advantage with the goal difference as well, which is starting to become like an extra point for us in the race to promoted.

We need to carry this on into the last 16 games of the season, as there is still only 5 point between the top 3 teams.

Marching On Together.

League position 1st after 30 games – After 30 games last season, Leeds were 2nd

Leeds United 1 – Blackburn Rovers 1  HT 0-0

P. Struijk (88′ pen) D. Batth (90′)

Assists

J. Rankin-Costello (90′)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,645

Welcome to 2025 and can Leeds continue their fine form to get promotion back to the Premiership?

First match of the New Year is a Yorkshire / Lancashire rivalry.

Danny Batth bundled in an injury-time equaliser within minutes of a controversial Pascal Struijk penalty opener as Blackburn Rovers denied Championship leaders Leeds United victory in a pulsating finish at Elland Road.

Struijk coolly stroked home what seemed likely to be the winner from the spot in an underwhelming match of very few chances after Dominic Hyam was adjudged to have felled substitute Mateo Joseph.

But a far-post corner led to promotion hopefuls Rovers drawing level within two minutes and prevented Leeds from winning a 10th successive home league game when Batth reacted quickest to score from close range from a Hyam header.

The centre-back’s intervention means Leeds remain three points clear at the top of the table having missed the chance to extend their lead to five over third-placed Sheffield United, who play at Sunderland in the late Wednesday night kick-off.

Leeds came close to snatching victory in 11 minutes of stoppage time but goalkeeper Aynsley Pears made a brilliant save to keep out a fine Max Wober volley.

The dramatic ending was in stark contrast to an otherwise uneventful New Year’s Day fixture which produced a rare draw between the sides, the first time in 16 matches that the meeting has not had an outright winner.

Well not the way we wanted to start the New Year, with 70% of possession and just the one goal. As I’ve mention before, win your home games and pick up points away, so this is like two points drops, especially conceding so late in the game.

At least we start the New Year still in 1st place, onwards and upwards.

Marching On Together.

League position 1st after 25 games – After 25 games last season, Leeds were 4th.

Leeds United 3 – Middlesbrough 1 – HT 1-0

W. Gnonto (14′)  M. Wöber (54′ og)

D. James (74′)

B. Aaronson (90’+2)

Assists

J. Piroe (74′)

A. Tanaka (90’+2)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,422

Late goals from Dan James and Brenden Aaronson sent Leeds United top of the Championship with victory over Middlesbrough in a fascinating encounter.

Wales’s winger James fired past Seny Dieng in the 74th minute before Aaronson added a third in injury time to move the Whites two points clear of Sheffield United, who are away to Millwall on Wednesday.

It was an eighth straight win at Elland Road for Daniel Farke’s side as they strengthened their bid for automatic promotion back to the Premier League after two seasons away.

Willy Gnonto put the hosts in front early in a first half in which they dominated, only for Max Wober to head into his own net nine minutes after the break.

Ben Doak had a great chance to put Boro ahead before Leeds late onslaught, as the Teesside club slipped one place to sixth.

Leeds second attempt at promotion back to the top tier has been founded on rock-solid form at home with 25 points out of a possible 30 this season.

The home form has really been strong after that defeat against Burnley in September, we have to keep this going and pick up points away from home to get us back to the premiership.

Marching On Together.

League position 1st after 20 games – After 20 games last season, Leeds were 3rd.

Leeds United 2 – Queens Park Rangers 0 – HT 1-0

J. Bogle (19′),

J. Piroe (90’+5)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,011

Last game before the international break, it will be great to go in with a victory, so where be on high when the players come back.

Leeds regained the winning habit against Queens Park Rangers to move second in the table with a hard-fought three points.

A first defeat in nine against Millwall last Wednesday had put a dent in Leeds promotion charge.

But against struggling QPR, Jayden Bogle’s first-half strike and a second from Joel Piroe in stoppage time proved enough for Daniel Farke’s side to put themselves on the shoulder of leaders Sunderland.

QPR fought hard in the face of relentless pressure from a dominant Leeds, who created a host of chances but struggled to convert until Piroe’s late nerve-settler.

Despite all their effort, defeat and results elsewhere left the west London club bottom of the table, two points adrift of Portsmouth and five from safety.

Leeds had chances to double or even triple their lead after Bogle‘s opener but had to settle for being one up at the break, the defender’s 19th minute strike in off the underside of the bar concluding some penalty area pinball.

Brenden Aaronson, Ao Tanaka were guilty of missing good opportunities but Solomon had the ball in the net after converting Byram’s cross only for the linesman’s flag to rule the latter offside in the build-up,

Even though the statistics at half-time painted an accurate picture of a QPR side under the pump, with Leeds having 10 shots to their one and nearly 70% of possession, the visitors might have gone in level had Jimmy Dunne kept a header down from a set-piece on 36 minutes.

After the break it was more of the same with the hard-working visitors continuing to frustrate their hosts.

Joe Rodon had a header blocked on 56 minutes and then Solomon was denied by a brave piece of goalkeeping from Paul Nardi, who was off his line quickly and took the shot in the face.

As the half wore on Leeds inability to put the game to bed started to fray some nerves around Elland Road, Zan Celar having an effort blocked and Sam Field firing just over from a central position.

Pascal Struijk missed a golden chance by firing wide and Wilfried Gnonto, Bogle and Piroe all had sights of goal but could not find the net.

Deep into added time, though, Piroe finally managed to dance his way through a crowded box and beat Nardi from a tight angle.

An important win after the defeat in the last game, but as I’ve mentioned, you must win your home matches.

Hopefully the international players will come back with no injuries and we can have a good build up to Christmas.

Marching On Together.

League position 2nd after 15 games – After 15 games last season, Leeds were 3rd.

Leeds United 2 – Sheffield United 0 – HT 0-0

P. Struijk (69′),

Mateo Joseph (90′)

Assists –

J. Rothwell (69′),

J. Piroe (90′)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,695

A big night in Yorkshire, with a local derby against Sheffield United, plus one of the form teams of the league at the moment too.

We haven’t lost a Yorkshire derby for 15 matches now, so we want that to continue.

Leeds United moved up to second in the Championship with a deserved 2-0 win over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road.

Both sides paid tribute to former Blades defender George Baldock before the match after his death at the age of 31 last week.

Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson had good chances for Leeds in a goalless first half that the hosts had dominated.

Daniel Farke’s men continued to have the upper hand after the break and were rewarded when Pascal Struijk blasted in from a 69th-minute corner as the Blades conceded for the first time in more than 11 hours.

Substitute Mateo Joseph sealed the derby success with a 90th-minute second goal as he finished well from Joel Piroe’s pass.

The victory meant Leeds leapfrogged the Blades on goal difference with both sides having 19 points as Chris Wilder’s men lost for the first time in the league this season.

Big victory tonight and it sounded like we played well as well. We need to keep winning the home games and pick up points away from home when we can. Come on Leeds.

Marching On Together.

League position 2nd after 10 games – After 10 games last season, Leeds were 6th.

Leeds United 0 – Burnley 1

HT 0-1

                        L. Koleosho (18′)

Venue: Elland Road Attendance: 36,405

Not who we would have wanted to be playing after the international break.

Luca Koleosho’s textbook breakaway strike ensured Burnley got back to winning ways as Leeds United suffered a first Championship defeat of the season.

Koleosho made the most of Manor Solomon’s unfortunate slip and sprinted 70 yards before drilling a low shot across goal and beyond goalkeeper Illan Meslier to end a two-game winless league run.

Burnley, who had lost on seven of their previous nine visits to Elland Road, had keeper James Trafford to thank for notable saves from Wilfried Gnonto and Ethan Ampadu.

The visitors ended the game with 10 men after Bashir Humphreys was sent off deep into stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card.

Leeds bossed possession and territory throughout a feisty match and should have led inside a minute when Mateo Joseph shot wide when clean through, after racing through from the halfway line following a Maxime Esteve blunder.

The miss set the tone for an increasingly frustrating afternoon, with the hosts wasteful with the few real chances they created and a packed and well organised Clarets defence withstanding relentless second-half pressure.

While Leeds dominated the ball, with about 75% possession in the first half and almost 72% overall, Burnley were equally – if not more – threatening in attack.

Trafford got his angles spot on then, as he did to deny Gnonto from close range, but other than that he had very little to do before the break.

Leeds did have a decent claim for a penalty ignored when Joe Worrall rode his luck with a tackle from behind that won the ball but could easily have resulted in a spot-kick.

Scott Parker’s side grew in confidence from the moment Koleosho made the most of Solomon’s slip.

They defended deep with great organisation and discipline, and the pace and direct running of Jaidon Anthony and Hannibal Mejbri posed problems at the other end of the pitch.

A Zian Flemming strike was saved by Meslier, Anthony sent a low effort wide and Worrall headed over from a corner.

Trafford was unsurprisingly more involved as the pressure ramped up after the interval, making a brilliant fingertip save to keep out a Joseph curler, and deflecting Ampadu’s strike over.

But although the Leeds fans stayed with their team, they could not inspire any late drama and preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign.

So the 1st defeat of the season against one of the teams that were relegated.

At least we showed some fight, hopefully that’s a good sign for the rest of the season.

Marching On Together.

League position 9th after 5 games – After 5 games last season, Leeds were 15th.