Credit: Imago

James Barker

Sat 18 April 2026 19:30, UK

Brenden Aaronson became the first American player to make 100 competitive starts for Leeds United in the 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.

Indeed, it was a big day all-round at Elland Road, as Leeds saw their Premier League stats all but mathematically confirmed with a convincing win against Wolves.

Daniel Farke‘s side raced into an early lead thanks to goals from James Justin and Noah Okafor inside the opening 20 minutes, before a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty put the icing on the cake in stoppage time at the end of the match.

The win moves Leeds to 39 points with just five league games to go now, and Farke may now start to adjust his sights to a potential late top-half push rather than looking over his shoulder.

So, it was another memorable afternoon in West Yorkshire, and it also proved to be a landmark day for Aaronson, who brought up his century of Leeds United starts in the win over Wolves.

How did Brenden Aaronson perform for Leeds vs Wolves?

Aaronson has been a divisive player among Leeds supporters this season, and indeed, for the majority of his time at Elland Road.

The 25-year-old is the type of attacking midfielder who when he’s at his best, looks capable of winning any game of football at a moments notice, with an eye for goal and excellent dribbling and technical ability too.

However, the calendar year of 2026 has largely been unkind to him in the way of impactful performances, with some tired displays and afternoons where he’s simply been a passenger.

But, that was not the case against Wolves on Saturday, as he followed up his excellent Man United outing with another impressive day at the office.

Indeed, it was he who delivered a delicious ball into the box from the right, which went all the way across the Wanderers box before reaching the onrushing Okafor at the back stick, before side-footing the ball past Daniel Bentley for 2-0.

As per Sofascore, Aaronson also completed two of his three dribble attempts successfully, made 12 carries with the ball, completed five recoveries, recorded a passing accuracy of 89 per cent and won five of his 10 ground duels.

He was eventually replaced on 78 minutes after proving to be a constant source of energy and industry throughout the game, as now looks firmly back to his best after some frustratingly quiet few months.

It was also his 100th competitive start for Leeds United, which made him the first American player to ever accomplish that feat for the Whites.

Others such as Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Mike Grella and Eddie Lewis have been his closest competition to that title, but it’s now Aaronson who etches himself into the Elland Road history books.

Aaronson almost ruined his day with yellow card incident

However, Aaronson’s landmark day in the sun may have been overshadowed had referee Farai Hallam viewed his push on Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci in a different light.

With 73 minutes on the clock, Aaronson was brought down by Wolves’ Czechian centre-back, to which the Leeds man didn’t take kindly too, as he sprung back up to push Krejci in the back.

It was a two-armed push by the American into the back of Krejci, and whilst it did appear pretty soft and more done out of frustration rather than with any intent to hurt, the Wanderers star went down clutching the back of his head/neck area.

Indeed, Krejci would have to be brought off injured as a result, and whilst it was hardly the kind of push that should realistically come under the umbrella of ‘violent conduct’, it did give Hallam a decision to make.

Thankfully, he saw it the same way as it should’ve been, and that was a small outburst of frustration that didn’t carry any malice or obvious intent to hurt the Wolves player, and a yellow card was the right colour card brandished to him.