This was a performance of champions. Leeds United aren’t quite there yet but they will travel to Plymouth on Saturday in charge of their own destiny and with the chance to finish the campaign on 100 points for the first time in their history.
Daniel Farke’s side outclassed a Bristol City side in play-off contention on Monday night and lived up to their promise that winning the Championship, rather than just promotion, is the aim.
‘We’re proud. And the performance made it even more special,’ said Leeds skipper, Ethan Ampadu. ‘That was for the squad and the fans.’
With their 28th league win of the season, Leeds went back ahead of Burnley on goal difference thanks to goals from Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto and a late brace from substitute Largie Ramazani.
For Liam Manning’s side, this was a schooling. They failed to have a shot on target until the 93rd minute.
The Robins will need to secure their play-off spot when relegation-battling Preston travel to Ashton Gate this weekend.
Patrick Bamford (centre), who put £5,000 behind the bar for punters, celebrates Leeds United’s promotion from the Championship alongside Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo (right)
Confetti rains down as Elland Road celebrates an immediate return to the Premier League
Boss Daniel Farke, whose future at the club is in doubt, can’t escape the spray of the bubbly
For Leeds, it was party central in the spring sunshine long before kick off with the stadium DJ playing Gold by Spandau Ballet and The Only Way Is Up by Yazz pre-match.
At The Old Peacock, opposite Elland Road, Patrick Bamford put £5,000 behind the bar for punters and inside, yellow scarves were placed on every seat.
On a day where proposed images of a redeveloped Elland Road were released, the raucous rendition of ‘Marching on Together’ was an ample reminder that any modernisation must not come at the expense of the atmosphere this old school ground can provide.
This was Leeds at their very best. Even Erling Haaland took to Snapchat to share that he was watching the Whites.
Paraag Marathe, the Leeds chairman, had flown in from San Francisco to spend the week here, with the club insisting that this was for the celebrations rather than fuelling any speculation surrounding the future of Farke.
What he witnessed on the pitch and in the stands was nothing but appreciation for the Leeds manager.
On the pitch, he named an unchanged eleven from the team who demolished Stoke and any idea that Leeds may have taken their foot off was dispelled as they raced out of the blocks.
Manor Solomon’s lofted delivery found Tanaka, who finished brilliantly on the half volley to give Leeds the lead. Farke’s men were relentless, as they have been for most of the season, and Gnonto doubled the lead after he was played through by Joel Piroe before Ramazani came off the bench and scored with his first touch from Junior Firpo’s cross. The Belgian added another in injury time.
Largie Ramazani shows off his dancing feet after scoring a late brace against Bristol City
Ao Tanaka turns in Leeds’ first goal to get the party started at Elland Road on Monday night
It was a night to remember for Leeds United fans with yellow scarves placed on every seat
As the players came back out to celebrate promotion with the fans, the loudest roar was saved for Farke.
‘I don’t need public backing (from the chairman). This is one of the most important days in our history. I wanted to bring this club back to the Premier League. The next step is to establish us there.’ Farke told Sky Sports.
The next time this place holds a competitive fixture, it will be in the Premier League.
That much is for sure but still it remains unclear whether the man who took them back to The Promised Land will be leading them come August.
Either way, he deserves immense credit for giving these fans a season that they will never forget.
