Leeds United have more or less secured their Premier League survival following their 3-1 victory over Burnley at Elland Road on Friday night.
Daniel Farke insisted after the game that he and his players would only celebrate once they are mathematically safe. But even he knows that the Whites are safe.
No side have ever suffered relegation in a 38-game Premier League season after securing 43 points, and Leeds are almost certain to play in the top flight again next season.
Wayne Rooney has revealed his admiration for how Leeds approached the Premier League season and what they have done in recent weeks to pull away from the drop zone.
Leeds United get the seal of approval from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney insisted that Leeds’ season is down to the solid recruitment they carried out last summer after securing promotion to the Premier League.
He conceded that Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a bit of a gamble, which has paid off. However, he was more impressed with Leeds’ recruitment plans and their focus on adding more physicality to the team.
Rooney stressed that the team’s physicality, coupled with the Elland Road atmosphere, made them such a tough side to play at home, and they just got the job done by being fantastic in the last few weeks.
Rooney said on Match of the Day: “The recruitment was very good in the summer.
“The Calvert-Lewin one was a little bit of a gamble with his injuries. But he has been fantastic all season.
“What Leeds have done, they have gone for big, powerful players, and you mix that with the atmosphere at Elland Road, if you get the players running and working hard, that is half the battle won.
“They have been fantastic, especially in the last few weeks.”
Leeds can still play kingmaker in the relegation race
Leeds are more or less safe in the Premier League after hitting the 43-point mark, but they can still decide who will go down to the Championship.
Two of their last three Premier League games are away trips to Tottenham and West Ham, and the results of these two games could be huge in the relegation fight.
Tottenham will travel to Aston Villa today, but there is a feeling that their home game against Leeds a week from Monday is a must-win for them.
West Ham could also be in with a chance of survival when they host Leeds at the London Stadium on the final day of the season.
