Credit: BBC Match of the Day

Daniel Lewis

Wed 20 May 2026 13:40, UK

Leeds United had to dig deep as they earned victory over Brighton and Hove Albion, with Troy Deeney left impressed by the smash-and-grab nature of the win.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck in the 95th minute through Leeds’ only official on-target attempt of the contest in Sunday’s clash at Elland Road.

By comparison, Karl Darlow had seven shots to save as he kept a fifth clean sheet of the season in the Premier League.

Leeds players celebrated each block wildly as they held on for another win, which keeps their momentum going into the final game of the season away at West Ham United.

And with Leeds’ safety already long confirmed, Deeney has praised Daniel Farke‘s men for their work this season.

Karl Darlow immense in Brighton win

Darlow started the season way down the goalkeeping pecking order, but he has been Farke’s go-to man over Lucas Perri and forgotten-about third choice Illan Meslier.

Meslier is set to exit Leeds after this weekend, while Perri could also follow and Darlow’s own future is unclear.

The Wales international has not always been perfect, but he has proved he is more than capable and his clean sheets record proves that.

Deeney named Darlow in his Team of the Week for BBC Sport and said: “A wonderful goalkeeping performance from him against Brighton, who absolutely battered Leeds.

“Somehow – mainly because of Darlow – Leeds won the game.”

Deeney, in fairness, is not far wrong. Brighton were by far the better side, yet Darlow’s saves kept the scores level and Calvert-Lewin pounced late on.

Darlow was not alone in being included in Deeney’s team among Leeds’ players, with centre-back Joe Rodon also getting the nod after a potential goal-saving late block.

“Part of a monstrous defensive display for Leeds,” Deeney said. “They kept a clean sheet – and how good have they been this season?”

Where do Leeds rank in terms of best Premier League defences?

Leeds have conceded 53 goals in the Premier League this season, which places them in the bottom seven in that category.

However, the Whites became stronger in the second half of the season, with clean sheets against Brighton, Wolves, Brentford and Crystal Palace over the past two months.

Only once have Leeds conceded twice in a Premier League game since mid-February, meanwhile, with that defensive solidity playing a big part in survival.

Darlow and Rodon were singled out against Brighton, but this has been a collective display from every Leeds player.