Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a dramatic late winner in stoppage time as Leeds United beat Brighton 1-0 at Elland Road earlier today.
Leeds rounded off their final home game of the season in perfect fashion, with Calvert-Lewin’s goal sparking huge celebrations around the stadium at full-time.
Karl Darlow also played a massive role in the result after producing an incredible first-half save that left even Peter Schmeichel stunned. There was a worrying moment in the second half, though, when Anton Stach had to be stretchered off with a leg injury.
Calvert-Lewin’s 14th league goal of the season lifted the atmosphere at Elland Road. However, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was left fuming.
Brighton manager claims his team should have won at Leeds
Brighton were the better team, dominated possession and Calvert-Lewin’s goal in stoppage time was Leeds’ first shot on target.
However, Leeds defended well and apart from that brilliant Darlow save, he didn’t look that troubled despite all of Brighton’s domination of the ball.
But Hurzeler insisted that from a rational point of view, his team should have walked away with a win from Elland Road today.
He refused to give any credit to Leeds for edging his team out at the end and insists that qualifying for Europe is still very much under Brighton’s control ahead of the final day of the season.
“We have to stay very rational”, the Brighton boss was quoted as saying by the Argus.
“Don’t judge it with too much emotion.
“I think when you see it from a rational point of view, then we should have won the game.
“That’s how we try to analyse it, and then keep our heads up.
“We’re all disappointed now, but we still have it in our hands.
“We have to believe in ourselves now. We have to face this adversity and bounce back as a team.
“That is what we did the whole season, so this will be another challenge for us now.”
Can the Whites finish 11th?
The victory at Elland Road lifted Leeds up to 13th in the Premier League table with one match still remaining, and they could yet finish even higher.
West Ham are expected to be fighting for survival on the final day, which means Leeds could potentially play a major role in sending the Hammers down when they meet in London.
If results elsewhere go in their favour, another Leeds win could even see the Whites climb as high as 11th place.
Not many would have predicted Leeds would be challenging for a finish just outside the top half after earning promotion back to the Premier League last season.
