Leeds ‘use heartbreak to their advantage’ in Stoke win as Premier League confirmed
Leeds United are back in the Premier League after they and Burnley enjoyed parallel celebrations on either side of the Pennines.
Sheffield United have fallen short and will have to utilise the play-offs if they want an immediate return to the top flight; Leeds’ 6-0 thrashing of Stoke City on Easter Monday (21 April) ensured a stylish leap back out of the Championship.
Daniel Farke knew this season was non-negotiable for promotion following last year’s despair, and secures a third successful Championship campaign of his career having twice gone up with Norwich City.
Leeds United used last year as motivation, says broadcaster
Everything went spot on for Leeds United on Monday – a day fans will remember for years to come.
Joel Piroe was back in the goals as he smashed four past a hapless Stoke outfit, who are not yet safe from relegation.
Burnley did their job later on against the Blades to ensure the thousands who stuck around at Elland Road had something to celebrate for certain.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, has claimed Leeds used last year’s play-off final heartache as motivation to complete a job this time around which briefly looked doubtful in a sketchy run of form until recently.
Leeds have a poor play-off record in the past few years, with their promotions having both come via the automatic spots – this being the first since five seasons ago under Marcelo Bielsa.
“It’s a tough and nervy finish to the season. Leeds looked to have it wrapped up, and then they didn’t,” Darke said.
“It was almost a situation up there of waiting for the first to blink – and it was Sheffield United. It looked very good for Leeds and Burnley once Sheffield United had dropped the points they did, and now they’ve got over the finish line.
“Particularly after the heartbreak they had last season, seeing that finishing post for the Stoke game, I think was purely enough in terms of motivation.”
Elland Road expects summer investment from 49ers
Having now secured their target at the second time of asking, Leeds will be looking to ensure the league title – still up for grabs between the Whites and Burnley, level on points.
Scott Parker’s side takes on QPR and Millwall, while Leeds meet Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle.
Afterwards, all eyes will be firmly on fixture release day for the Premier League – and of course the games against Manchester United – as well as, crucially, the transfer window.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | LEEDS UNITED | 44 | 94 | +60 |
| 2 | Burnley | 44 | 94 | +46 |
| 3 | Sheffield United | 44 | 88 | +25 |
Leeds know that to buck the trend of promoted clubs returning straight to the Championship, they will need to invest in their squad.
They boast one of the strongest rosters on paper that the second tier has seen, but the gulf is ever-widening between the top two divisions, and Paraag Marathe and the 49ers Enterprises know they must spend to compete within the PSR parameters, at least.