As the sun starts to set on another fantastic Championship season, this game was all but a dead rubber at the end of the campaign. Despite being just four places apart in the table, a 30-point gulf separated Leeds United and Bristol City. Should both Leeds and Burnley win next week, Leeds will be crowned champions again, barring a 14-goal minor miracle from the Clarets, of course.
It was Bristol City’s turn to visit Elland Road, which was rocking from minute one. Having secured promotion last Monday, Leeds fans arrived ready to celebrate and celebrate they did.
The Whites’ decisive win rapturously received by fans
Daniel Farke, despite all the promotion noise and the doubts about his future, ensured his team put on a show as the Whites cruised to a rampant 4-0 victory. Goals from Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto set the tone before substitute Largie Ramazani added two late strikes to seal a comprehensive win.
Bristol’s Max O’Leary was far busier than Leeds keeper Karl Darlow, and made multiple saves before Tanaka calmed stroked home the opener. A sublime, cool finish at the back post on the half take. Usually, about as acrobatic as it gets on the pitch, that was until Ramazani was subbed on in the second half.
Ten minutes into the second half, Gnonto doubled the lead, gently clipping the ball beyond O’Leary after a lofted through ball by Joel Piroe from the left-hand side wrapped round the back four.
Ramazani made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring with his very first touch before adding a fourth goal in stoppage time to cap off the rout. The acrobatic Ramazani celebrated in style after his second goal was even nicer than the first.
At the final whistle, Leeds, who dominate the goals scored stats, were serenaded by their passionate supporters.
EFL recognition for players
In a celebratory week, Leeds fans will have noticed several of their star men this season have been recognised by the EFL as being exceptional. A Leeds right hand side of Tanaka, Daniel James and Jayden Bogle made up the LUFC contingent, with the solid back four featuring the Burnley stalwarts of Egan-Riley, James Trafford and Maxime Estève, rounded off with Peterborough’s Harrison Burrows.
In a shock turn of events, the league top goal scorer Joel Piroe and left back Junior Firpo – linked up beautifully early on and throughout this successful season – were both omitted from team of the season, leaving Leeds fans frustrated.
The rest of the playoffs
For Bristol, a win on Saturday would have guaranteed them a playoff spot. Instead, they must host Preston who need the points desperately too. They can still clinch a playoff place with a final-day win over Preston, but the Leeds game was a stark reminder of the gap between them and the division’s elite. After a strong season, Bristol must end in a playoff push to satisfy their fans, who deserve a shot at the big time.
Elsewhere, in typical fashion Coventry lost against Plymouth and drew against Hull, blasting the playoff race wide open. Coventry face Middlesborough next and could be the most hotly fought game of the season so far, as both teams cannot afford to miss that final playoff spot.
Blackburn and Millwall are also in the mix, with the Rovers having picked up 16 points in their last five games as they all vie for Premier League football.
A tough Premier League season ahead – but Leeds are on form
Victory at lowly Plymouth on Saturday would crown Daniel Farke’s side as champions and, in this form, it is hard to see them slipping up. Despite Plymouth not being mathematically relegated, they would be relying on results elsewhere and banking they beat Leeds 26-0.
Round the bend comes a tough Premier League season, but if Leeds continue to play like this, they may fare better than some recently promoted sides and stand the best possible chance to break the curse and seal the gap between the divisions.
