Safe, Smug and Still Swinging: Leeds Eye Final-Day Chaos

A last-gasp victory over Brighton will see an already safe Leeds head into the final day of the season ready to really enjoy themselves.

On Sunday Leeds wrapped up their home campaign with a late 1-0 win over Brighton. The atmosphere was uncharacteristically relaxed at a sunny Elland Road; the hard work is done, and now it's time to look forward to the summer respite. After securing safety 2 weeks earlier, the much feared relegation battle turned out to be more of a stroll in the park for Leeds - the victory on Sunday leaves us 11 points clear of West Ham. I’m almost annoyed at how easy it’s turned out to be; all that stress and angst seems embarrassingly pointless now.

Calvert-Lewin Wins It Late For Leeds

There was an element of snatch and grab to Leeds’ win against Brighton. The first half was relatively even, but Brighton had the better chances. In the second, it was more one way traffic without Leeds ever feeling too under the cosh. For Leeds, there was a complete lack of jeopardy, and even as Brighton squandered multiple chances from cutbacks, that haunting sense of dread that often descends upon Elland road in similar circumstances was understandably absent.

The joyous atmosphere probably wouldn't have changed regardless of the result; obviously we wanted to win, and add those extra points, but it wasn’t the necessity we thought it might be a few weeks ago. The fact that Calvert-Lewin read Van Hecke’s back pass like a book and stole in ahead of their ‘keeper to seal a 1-0 win late in stoppage time was the icing on the cake.

Spurs Or West Ham? Leeds Will Help Decide

Despite coming out of the relegation ‘battle’ completely unscathed, Leeds will still have a big say in who departs for the Championship when we face West Ham in London on Sunday. It’s hard to know what to want from this one. It is obviously funnier if Spurs get relegated, but I can't quite bring myself to root against my own team. With the way Leeds have gone about their business this season, I don’t see them lying down either - there’s too much professional pride in the squad for that. To be honest, with the way both teams are playing I don't see Leeds losing down there. By all accounts West Ham were an abject, error-prone mess against Newcastle, and it’s hard to see how they pick themselves up from that crushing defeat.

Thankfully, Spurs kept up their habit of losing to Chelsea to at least give us some drama on the final day after Man City failed to beat Bournemouth to hand Arsenal the title. Roberto De Zerbi’s slightly rejuvenated side (compared to the mess of Frank’s and Tudor's tenures, it's not really been that difficult to show some improvement) have Everton at home on the final day. Even though their home record is appalling, they should have enough to beat an Everton side who have staggered to the season's finish line.

Southampton Humiliate Themselves......Again

Elsewhere in the football world, it was great to see the sweet hand of justice slap Southampton out of the play-offs after their cheating scandal. It's a punishment made even sweeter after the arrogant response from Saints fans and players alike; running around dressed as bushes or making binocular gestures with their hands only to be humiliated by their own club days later.

Apparently, being associated with Rupert Lowe, Rishi Sunak, and Matt Le Tissier is quite shameful enough for Southampton; they've had to go one better, and now they've lost their chance at returning to football's cash cow.

My only hope now is that Luke Ayling sends our new hate-figure, Harwood-Bellis, a pair of customised binoculars along with an expletive-ridden note, letting him know exactly what everyone thinks of him. Unfortunately, Ayling has too much class, and I doubt he’d stoop to such levels of pettiness.

Awards Night

Back to Leeds, and it was awards night at the club. There are many players who could’ve feasibly walked away with the player and player’s player of the year awards; Gudmundsson has been a revelation at left-back (he won the supporters trust player of the year award a few days ago); Bijol and Rodon have been solid at the back; Stach has been a physical and creative force in midfield; in attack, Calvert-Lewin has proven all his doubters wrong with an unbelievable return to form. However, it was captain Ethan Ampadu who walked away with both accolades, and made himself a 2-time player of the year recipient in the process. 

Ampadu Cleans Up; Stach And Okafor Also Take Home Awards

Ampadu is a worthy winner, and his ability to take control of games when needed has been a fundamental reason for why Leeds are comfortably sitting in mid-table. There were question marks about his ability to play at this level after things didn’t exactly go his way last time he was in the Premier league with Sheffield United. He was only a young man then, though, and at Leeds we’ve had the pleasure of seeing him mature; he’s now an accomplished top flight player; a leader; and the player Tyler Adams wishes he could be. There will inevitably be transfer rumours swirling around him in the summer, but he seems happy here, and I hope he stays to lead the team for years to come.

Unsurprisingly, Anton Stach took home the goal of the season award for his incredible free-kick against Villa. The night's other winner was Noah Okafor, who was given the performance of the season award for his 2 goal display against Scum at their place. 

Final Day Drama....But Not For Leeds

Sunday will be the final game of the season, and Leeds have the opportunity to really revel in others misfortune. We’ll have a hand in one of the most hilarious relegations ever if we allow West Ham to beat us, and Spurs lose to Everton, or, we’ll get to see a load of Cockneys cry when they realise they’ll soon be reacquainted with their old friends Millwall. Either way, it’s going to be a lot of fun.