Plymouth Argyle 1 Leeds United 2. One hundred up. We did it. We are champions of the Championship. One hundred points and never in doubt. All hail Farke for his self-belief. We owe it to our most prized loanee Solomon who spoilt Burnley’s party in injury time. It should have been more straightforward. But Plymouth Argyle, who had nothing to play for, so instead tried to spoil Leeds’ party at Home Park. It was stressful stuff towards the end – Farke pleaded with the players to stay calm; the fans sang their hearts out in hope, and Solomon dug deep for that one ounce of energy and spirit inside to make that magic moment that everyone will remember as the day Leeds won the Championship.
The last match of the season, away from home and the championship title at stake, Leeds were in blistering form, scoring six against Stoke city and four against Bristol City. Plymouth Argyle were effectively relegated but with a recent good run of form. Earlier in the seaon Leeds easily shrugged off Plymouth Argyle when Wayne Rooney had his brief and disastrous term as manager.
Leeds were seriously off the boil in the first half after the last two matches where we trounced Bristol City and Stoke city. Millwall took an early lead against Burnley so an early Leeds goal would have put us in a commanding position.
As Leeds looked for an early goal Plymouth predictably defended deep in numbers to limit the chances for Piroe and Aaronson. Whilst Gruev and Tanaka had the possession they were not creative with it and when Plymouth won the ball they counter-attacked. Leeds had an early warning when Bundu used his pace to hit the bar. Bundu then scored when he ran with the ball with Bogle far away, danced past Rodon and hit the post and bounce off Byram into the net. Bundu was simply too much for Leeds to handle.
The response from Leeds was blunt with a lack of tempo and dreadful finishing by Piroe and Aaronson in particular. Solomon carried Leeds keeping the crosses and corners coming but without results – Gnonto was also wasteful. After Burnley equalised the pressure was now on for Leeds to score two goals and take the lead.
Hazard in goal for Plymouth made sure he kept Plymouth in the match with a hand on a Byram cross and pulled a fine save from Aaronson but overall Leeds were just not clinical enough and deserved to be behind at half time.
The chances kept coming in the second half as Leeds looked to use the wings more to stretch Plymouth. With Ampadu hacked down again by Tijani who escaped a second yellow card, Solomon this time found Gnonto who put Leeds back level. Leeds were back in the top spot.
The pressure on Leeds then stepped up as Burnley took the lead and Plymouth players went full on with delaying tactics – the keeper taking his time, a yellow card for throw-ins. Leeds should have been celebrating Piroe’s goal but it was chalked off for Gnonto judged offside – the replay showed he was not. In extra time Manor Solomon went on a solo run and scored in front of Leeds fans and Leeds were back on top. That was it. The moment. We are champions.
It was a nervous last three minutes with Plymouth almost scoring. The whistle blew and the fans went to celebrate in front of the fans whilst Farke withdrew and sat alone. He said “I feel pretty empty, I was too tired to celebrate, the last hours were so complicated, even the half-time talk was complicated.” It was very Leedsy to score the winning goal in extra time. He probably could not believe it himself.
The fans stayed behind as the players were awarded the Championship title. It was a full on party between the fans and players. Solomon the hero said he loves the club and we hope he will come back. Ramazani carried on where he left off on Monday night with his shades on and phone viedoing his own celebrations. The fans were able to cheer each every player with Ampadu as captain raising the trophy and Gnonto with his shorts down.The camaraderie between the players and the fans will glow for a long time.
95 goals. A hundred points. A record breaking season. A bitter pill for Burnley who won 3-1 against Millwall. But Leeds’ resilience and huge 65 goal difference saw them through.
Man of the match: Manor Solomon for his assist and goal that won us the Championship. He said he did not remember much of his celebration, as there was a massive pile on of all the players knowing this was the moment. But he will remember playing for Leeds.
