Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship after a win over Oxford United at The Kassam Stadium. Burnley and Sheffield United won their matches earlier on Friday.
A first-half goal from Manor Solomon secured Leeds top spot on goal difference ahead of Burnley, with just three games remaining. Sheffield United are five points behind in third.
In any case, five points from their last three games will be enough, regardless of other results.
Leeds now face Stoke City at Elland Road on Easter Monday. A win there, combined with Sheffield United failing to win against Burnley later that day, would be enough to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Oxford dropped one place to 19th, but are still five points above the relegation zone. They still have work to do to secure a place in the Championship for next season.
🔥 WHAT. A. PERFORMANCE. pic.twitter.com/htCHWBVnTK
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 18, 2025
Burnley’s win over Watford and Sheffield United’s win against Cardiff City increased the pressure on Leeds ahead of their match.
Two successive wins against Middlesbrough and Preston North End have calmed nerves after a shaky spell with just one win in six games – reminiscent of the collapse at the same time last season, when they lost the play-off final at Wembley.
A week ago, Daniel Farke was given his 100th game on the sidelines for Leeds. – Now the number is 101.
In their first away league game against Oxford since March 1990 – a season that ended with promotion to the top flight under Howard Wilkinson – Daniel Farke’s men faced a well-organised home side. Cameron Brannagan tested Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow early with a shot from 20 yards.
Leeds took control when Jamie Cumming made a good save from a run from Brenden Aaronson, and Ben Nelson denied a sure goal with a brilliant save from Willy Gnonto.
But Leeds’ winning goal in the 33rd minute was an example of the precision they have shown all season. Joe Rodon’s perfect pass sent Jayden Bogle free, and the right-back found Solomon at the back of the far post, who headed it in.
It was the Israeli winger’s ninth goal of the season, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and his 12th assist in the Championship in 2025 (6 goals, 6 assists).
Bogle missed a good chance to secure the win early in the second half, and Japan’s Ao Tanaka was unlucky to hit the post with a long-range shot late in the game.
Without a comfortable lead, Leeds were forced to deal with a series of long throw-ins in their own half as Oxford chased for an equaliser. It never came, thanks to solid defensive work – particularly from Joe Rodon.
This victory takes Leeds’ tally under Farke to an impressive 181 points from 89 games, and their current tally of 91 is already better than the whole of last season (90 points) – with three games remaining.
With 83 goals this season, Leeds have scored 20 more goals than any other team in the Championship, and this was their 23rd clean sheet – underlining how well-balanced Farke’s team is.
Now all that remains is to keep their nerves in check and secure promotion, after two years out of the Premier League.
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