Premier League
Leeds United 1 (Calvert-Lewin 90+6')
Brighton & Hove Albion 0
Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ampadu (C), Rodon, James (Gnonto 60’), Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson (Nmecha 60’), Bijol, Stach (Piroe 75’), Tanaka (Longstaff 60’), Bornauw (Byram 90'), Justin. Subs not used: Perri (GK), Chadwick, Cresswell, Lienou.
Brighton: Verbruggen (GK), Dunk (C), van Hecke, Minteh (March 90'), Hinshelwood (Kostoulas 82’), Baleba (Ayari 82’), Welbeck (Rutter 65’), Kadioglu, De Cuyper, Groß, Veltman (Gómez 65’). Subs not used: Steele (GK), Milner, Boscagli, O’Riley.
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 36,880
Booked: Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
Leeds United rounded off Elland Road action in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a late victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the hero as he slid the ball into an empty net deep into stoppage time following a mix-up at the back to secure all three points for the Whites.
With one change made to the side that drew with Tottenham Hotspur last time out – an enforced one as the injured Pascal Struijk made way for fellow defender Sebastiaan Bornauw – play got underway in bright sunshine on the penultimate matchday.
The Whites’ first opportunity came when James Justin latched onto a pinpoint Ethan Ampadu long ball and raced in behind, laying off Calvert-Lewin but a retreating yellow shirt managed to hack away from danger.
Moments later, Joe Rodon marauded into space down the right and fired a pass into Daniel James who saw a rasping left-footed drive from the edge of the area deflect just wide of the upright.
Then, down the other end, Jaka Bijol was on hand to make a crucial block to deny the visitors on the rebound after Karl Darlow had done well to get a fingertip on a dangerous cross into the middle.
As Leeds attacked once more, it was Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk’s turn next to get in the way of a goalbound effort, ensuring James’ long-range shot was unable to trouble goalkeeper Bart Verburggen.
It was the Seagulls’ captain who then went close, rising highest to meet a corner from the right and glancing a header over Darlow’s crossbar.
The Wales international made a terrific fingertip save to parry Pascal Groß’ powerful, arrowed drive shortly afterwards which, from yards out, Jan Paul van Hecke was unable to turn in.
The opening period drew to a close with Verburggen acrobatically tipping the ball over after it had cannoned off Dunk and looped towards the top corner in the final action of the half.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Play got back underway with both sides unchanged and the opposition very nearly took the lead when Danny Welbeck spun in the area and fired towards goal which was cleared off the line by the stooping Ampadu.
The Brighton forward then saw a near post header ricochet off Bornauw with the resulting corner defended well by Daniel Farke’s side in front of the South Stand.
On the break, led by Calvert-Lewin, the Whites raced deep into opposition territory and Brenden Aaronson found Anton Stach. Looking to add to his superb goals catalogue this campaign, the German international curled narrowly over the upright.
Three alterations in personnel arrived on the hour mark. Willy Gnonto, Lukas Nmecha and Sean Longstaff entered proceedings, replacing James, Aaronson and Ao Tanaka respectively. Former United forward Georginio Rutter was also welcomed onto the pitch warmly by the Elland Road faithful.
The Italian international was immediately involved, running onto the ball on the right to profit on a Stach dummy. Charging into the area, Gnonto drilled low towards the corner though the effort sailed narrowly past the near post.
The Seagulls then had perhaps the best opportunity yet when Ferdi Kadioglu cut a pass back invitingly for onrushing substitute Gómez who chose power rather than placement, lashing into the crowd.
Another change from the dugout introduced Joël Piroe into the action as Stach was unable to continue following an earlier knock. Everyone at Elland Road would like to wish Anton a speedy recovery.
Last campaign’s Golden Boot winner almost demonstrated his killer instinct in front of goal within minutes of his introduction, curling just beyond the post from the edge of the area.
With the clash progressing deep into normal time, the visitors again came forward and forced Darlow into another routine stop as he collected Charalampos Kostoulas’ header. Bijol then was on hand with a fine defensive intervention to block Gómez’s strike from a tight angle inside the area.
With 90+6 minutes on the clock, the Elland Road faithful were rewarded for their superb season-long backing as a mix-up at the back for Brighton set Calvert-Lewin free in-behind...
Baring down on an open net after rounding Verbruggen, the centre-forward made no mistake and rolled the ball home deep into stoppage time!
After some more last-ditch defending from the Whites, Michael Oliver called time on Elland Road action this campaign with Leeds running out 1-0 winners in the penultimate Premier League clash of the term!
FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
