Jesse Marsch and Leeds survived, staving off Premier League relegation by defeating Brentford 2-1 on the tension-filled final day of the Premier League season.
Leeds made it difficult, letting a lead dissolve while Burnley made a desperate push to get level against Newcastle, but ultimately a stoppage-time goal from Jack Harrison just seconds before full time between Burnley and Newcastle kept Leeds in the Premier League.
Both teams came into the final day of the season on 35 points, with Leeds carrying the distinct disadvantage of a goal difference that was 20 worse (-38 to Burnley’s -18). That left Burnley, who were hosting Newcastle, a simple task: match or better Leeds’ result at Brentford, avoid losing by 20 goals, and safety would be assured.
Callum Wilson’s 20th minute penalty put Newcastle ahead, and after halftime Marsch and Leeds added to the advantage, as a 56th minute penalty from Raphinha gave them the lead.
Wilson struck again for Newcastle on the hour mark, giving Leeds even more of a cushion, but Maxwel Cornet replied in the 69th minute to bring a nervous Burnley crowd back to life. Sergi Canos then struck an equalizer for Brentford that survived a VAR check, leaving Leeds just one goal (by Burnley or Brentford) from relegation.
Burnley went inches from an equalizer two separate occasions as they threw everything at Newcastle, but Harrison’s goal four minutes into stoppage time removed any doubt, with Leeds coming back for another season in the top flight.
Marsch, the second American to be named the manager of a Premier League club, took over at Leeds at the end of February. He took the job with Leeds two points clear of the relegation zone and 12 games left to play, but with both Burnley and Everton holding two games in hand. Leeds at one point climbed nine points clear, but then picked up just two points from five games heading into the last day.
However, Burnley won three straight in late April, and with Everton taking 10 points from five games—including Wednesday’s stunning comeback that guaranteed their safety—setting up the final day drama.
That said, the results did improve once Marsch took over for legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds picked up 0.88 points-per-game under Bielsa, while they posted a 1.25 rate once Marsch took charge.
Leeds in 2021/22 under Bielsa:
5-13-8, -31 goal differential (-18.8 xG differential)
Leeds in 2021/22 under Marsch:
4-5-3, -6 GD (-3.9 xGD)
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) May 22, 2022
Watch Leeds celebrate their survival
THE GOAL THAT KEEPS LEEDS UNITED IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE! #BRELEE | #ChampionshipSunday | #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/RzWFAhECJD
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 22, 2022
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