Leeds United lifted the Championship trophy on Saturday with their win over Plymouth. The final day of the league was one of the most dramatic in recent years. It is definitely one that Leeds fans will remember for a long time.
The title race with Burnley was one of the more intense storylines this season. Daniel Farke and Scott Parker went head to head in the Championship. Burnley were expected to dominate when they dropped back down to the Championship. But Leeds gave them a run for their money during the season.
The two teams were neck and neck for most of 2025, and pushed the race to the final day. Burnley fans would have thought the trophy was heading to Turf Moor in the dying minutes of their game. Manor Solomon then popped up with a moment of brilliance to seal the title in stoppage time.
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Troy Deeney makes Leeds United claim
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds pipped Burnley to the Championship, but both sides have already sealed their place in the Premier League next season. Troy Deeney has now given his opinion on which of the two sides would fare better in the top flight. He was speaking to Sky Sports:
“What we’ve noticed with the teams that have gone up into the Premier League is they’ve struggled to keep clean sheets. Burnley, in my opinion, have the best foundation to go and be successful next year.
“Yes, they are going to have to add quality because we know the gap is getting bigger each year. But for where they are at right now and if you ask me to put my money on who will stay up, I would have to say Burnley over Leeds because they can shut up shop and make sure that they are in games. Most of the games now, people are losing before they even get there.”
Leeds had the better defence this season
Burnley may have had more clean sheets, but according to the statistics, Leeds had the much better defence. FBref’s Expected Goals Allowed measures the quality of chances a team concedes.
Credit: FBref
As seen above, the Whites conceded less quality chances than Burnley. The reason for the gap in actual goals conceded and clean sheets is down to the goalkeeping. James Trafford had one of the best seasons in the country, while Illan Meslier consistently let Leeds United down.
Troy Deeney needs to look at the numbers before making claims.
Why are you ignoring the most pertinent stat? The actual number of goals conceded. 46 games is a pretty good sample survey. Expected goals down count, you know that right? Actual goals do. Just like actual goal difference. You know, the thing that won Leeds the title. Unless you think that’s not a reliable metric? Maybe head-to-head results should be used instead? Clown article.