Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 victory for Leeds United over Brighton at Elland Road on Sunday.
Leeds gave their fans the perfect ending in the club’s final home game of the season, with Calvert-Lewin’s late winner sparking huge celebrations around the ground.
Karl Darlow also made a huge contribution after pulling off an outstanding save in the first half that even Peter Schmeichel could not help but admire. There was a worrying moment in the second half, however, when Anton Stach had to be stretchered off with a leg injury.
Calvert-Lewin’s 14th Premier League goal of the season lifted the mood and showed how much of a value he has added to the squad on a free transfer.
MOTD pundit raves about Dominic Calvert-Lewin
When Leeds signed Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, there were serious question marks raised. He had struggled with injuries in the last few seasons, and Everton were happy to let him leave.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has insisted that no one really doubted the forward’s ability, but there were reasons to worry because of his injury history.
However, he conceded that the striker has answered back his critics in the best way possible and has been a brilliant signing for Leeds this season.
“There is no doubting his ability”, Schwarzer said on Match of the Day.
“He is a really accomplished striker who has had a stop-start career because of injuries.
“The question was, is he going to be fit long enough to make a difference?
“He has certainly answered all those questions; he has been absolutely excellent for Leeds.
“In the end, he was not a risk at all.”
He has been one of the signings of last summer
When Leeds signed Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer last summer, fans were not exactly enamoured by the signing and were expecting the arrival of a big-name striker on a huge fee.
He was not Leeds’ first-choice, but ultimately the Whites gambled on him after missing out on a couple of targets earlier in the season.
And after 14 Premier League goals this season, the Leeds recruitment team are getting the praise they deserve for taking that chance on Calvert-Lewin.
Given the amount of money spent on strikers such as Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres last summer, Calvert-Lewin appears to be the signing of the season.
Leeds will sign one more striker in the upcoming window, and they would do well to sign anyone who could make the impact the former Everton man has made at Elland Road.
