Leeds United moved another step closer to Premier League safety with a straightforward 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road.
After their result against Manchester United, they knew another three points would leave them in a strong position—and they made it count.
James Justin opened the scoring in the 18th minute with an acrobatic bicycle kick. Two minutes later, Noah Okafor doubled the lead, finishing off a well-placed cross from Brenden Aaronson.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the win in stoppage time, calmly converting a penalty after being fouled. But the referee’s decision didn’t go down well with everyone.
With five games to go, Leeds sit eight points clear of the relegation zone and are edging closer to survival.
Joe Hart drops a major relegation verdict after Leeds victory
Brighton forward Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser against Tottenham on Saturday helped Leeds to maintain an eight-point lead over the bottom three and kept Spurs in the relegation zone.
Joe Hart has stressed that Leeds are more or less certain to stay up, and given the fixtures and the FA Cup semi-final coming up, there is a surge of positivity around Elland Road.
He also pointed out that West Ham are also looking good, leading him to fear for Tottenham and their prospects of survival in the final five games of the season.
The former goalkeeper feels Tottenham’s future may hinge on them getting a win over Wolves away from home.
Hart said on Match of the Day: “Leeds have got so much positivity going on around them, that result obviously with Forest, that semi-final is something they can look forward to.
“West Ham have picked up, it’s just Tottenham, you can’t help but put Tottenham into it [as the team to go down], but that away game at Wolves is absolutely huge for De Zerbi.”
Leeds are almost there
Daniel Farke has made it clear he doesn’t want his Leeds United players getting complacent, stressing that this has been anything but a normal season. That said, they now have a bit more breathing room than before.
Leeds are back in Premier League action on Wednesday night against Bournemouth, before turning their attention to an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea next Sunday.
With fixtures against Wolves and Burnley still to come, Leeds are closing in on securing their top-flight status for another season.
They’ll also host Tottenham, who were held at the last moment by a late goal from Rutter for Brighton on Saturday evening.
Farke may be urging caution, but Leeds are in a position where they can feel fairly confident about staying in the Premier League.
