Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 18 May 2026 9:10, UK

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has sent a short-yet meaningful message after his late winner in Leeds United‘s victory over Brighton.

The 29-year-old’s excellent debut campaign with Leeds got even better on Sunday, as he netted a 96th-minute winner against the Seagulls.

After pouncing on an underhit back-pass from Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, Calvert-Lewin knocked the ball past Bart Verbruggen in the Albion goal before rolling the ball into the empty net.

It was hard on Brighton, as Fabian Hurzeler’s side were the better and more dominant team in the game, but the Whites needed their only shot on target to score.

Leeds’ win over Brighton was the final match at Elland Road for the 2025-26 season, and Calvert-Lewin made sure it would be a day to remember for Whites supporters.

What has Dominic Calvert-Lewin said after Brighton winner?

Calvert-Lewin has been a Leeds transfer masterstroke, having been snapped up on a free transfer last summer following his release from Everton.

Because of his status as a free agent, many Whites fans were sceptical over the kind of impact he could have in West Yorkshire, and whether or not his best days were now behind him.

However, he’s proven his doubters wrong and then some, as he proudly sits on 14 Premier League goals and one assist from 34 top-flight appearances this term.

Without him, Daniel Farke‘s side may still have been embroiled in a relegation battle at this stage of the campaign, but thankfully, that’s a theoretical situation Leeds don’t have to concern themselves with.

Taking to his Instagram account after the game, Calvert-Lewin summed up his emotions and pride in just three words, but that’s all that was required to make it clear how much he’s loving life at Leeds.

“Grateful for everything,” the big striker said.

2026-27 will be fascinating season for Calvert-Lewin at Leeds

At 29, Calvert-Lewin is still just about in the prime of his career, and he’s been able to enjoy a fruitful debut season with Leeds.

However, prior to 2025-26, the England international had scored just 15 goals in all competitions across his previous four seasons with Everton.

With only three goals scored for the Toffees in 2024-25, it will now be intriguing moving forward to see whether or not this season will be a one-off for him at Elland Road, or if he can match or possibly even exceed his goal return in 2026-27.

If Leeds can bring in some more attacking reinforcement this summer and boost the quality of service into him, then judging by what he’s been able to do this term, why can’t he bag even more goals next year?