Leeds clinched Premier League survival on the final day of the season with an added-time winner from Jack Harrison in a 2-1 victory over nine-man Brentford. Burnley’s men went into the game at Brentford needing to improve on Burnley’s result against Newcastle at home.
Following a tense first half, Leeds took the lead in the second half, with Raphinha capitalizing on a David Raya mistimed goal kick, with the goalkeeper bringing down the Brazilian in an attempt to make amends.
Raphinha then converted the penalty kick to give Leeds a crucial advantage. Thomas Frank’s side fought back and leveled through substitute Sergi Canos’ header at the far post, despite being booked for his shirtless celebration.
Canos received a second yellow card and was sent off for a foul on Raphinha, leaving his team with nine men. After the Bees had exhausted all of their substitutions, Kristoffer Ajer was forced off with an injury.
Leeds was able to capitalize on their numerical advantage in added time as Harrison’s long-range drive was deflected in to ensure their Premier League survival, while Burnley was defeated 2-1 by Newcastle.
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Leeds began the game nervously, with Brentford forcing a corner almost immediately, but it was the visitors who had the majority of the early possession, with Harrison’s probing cross just ahead of Joe Gelhardt and Raphinha.
Brentford, on the other hand, had a chance almost immediately after from a Christian Eriksen free-kick, but his well-struck curled ball was put wide by Yoane Wissa at the far post.
Leeds pressed once more in the 17th minute, with Sam Greenwood driving into the box, but his powerful shot went over the Brentford crossbar. Leeds had the ball in the net in the 20th minute, only for Gelhardt to be ruled offside by VAR after a strong finish past Raya.
Raphinha tried his luck from a distance with Leeds pushing for a breakthrough, but his powerful strike was always rising as it sailed over the bar.
In the 35th minute, Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier had to be alert to palm over Mathias Jensen’s attempted looping lob after being set up by a clever nutmeg from Bryan Mbeumo. Eriksen also had a chance soon after, but his shot was deflected wide by Ivan Toney, and Mbeumo also dragged wide just before halftime.
The Bees had another chance early in the second half when Eriksen’s ball was flicked on to Mbeumo, but his strike was straight at Meslier and at a relatively low height.
Leeds moved one step closer to Premier League safety when they scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. Raya botched his clearance and then caught Raphinha trying to make amends. From the penalty spot, the Brazilian made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Brentford leveled the game in the 77th minute when Wissa crossed the ball to the back post and Canos looped home a header. Following Canos’ second yellow card, Frank’s team was reduced to nine players for the final minutes.
