Leeds edge closer to Premier League safety leaving Wolves on brink of relegation — Independent 18/4/26

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Leeds 3-0 Wolves: James Justin, Noah Okafor, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were the goalscorers for the hosts

Mark Walker

Leeds took another big step towards Premier League safety with a 3-0 win against all-but-relegated Wolves at Elland Road.

Quickfire first-half goals from James Justin and Noah Okafor put Leeds in control, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stoppage-time penalty sealed back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Daniel Farke’s side moved six points clear of the bottom three after Monday night’s 2-1 win at Manchester United, and their ninth league win of the season lifted them further clear of the bottom three.

Rock-bottom Wolves began the day 15 points adrift of safety, and their relegation could be confirmed this weekend if other results go against them.

Leeds burst out of the blocks as Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley into a smothering save in the first minute and James Justin headed over soon after.

Calvert-Lewin’s cutback rolled tantalisingly across the face of the goal, and the early signs were that Leeds had no hangover from Monday night’s 2-1 win at Manchester United.

Two goals in as many minutes dispelled that notion completely. The opener came courtesy of Justin’s brilliant overhead kick in the 18th minute after Ethan Ampadu’s effort had been well blocked by Bentley following a corner.

Home fans were still celebrating Justin’s acrobatics when Wolves captain Toti gave the ball away in midfield two minutes later.

Brenden Aaronson raced clear down the right and supplied an inch-perfect low cross to the far post, where Okafor swept home his third goal in two games and seventh of the season.

Wolves served a warning that they were not ready to lie down when Ladislav Krejci’s back header was cleared from under the posts by Calvert-Lewin before half-time.

There was no repeat of the first-half explosives at the start of the second period, with Leeds happy to contain a Wolves side that did not appear to carry a threat in the final third.

But Krejci ensured Farke’s side stayed on their toes as his glancing header from Hugo Bueno’s corner was well saved by goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Wolves spurned another chance when substitute Rodrigo Gomes fired off target before Aaronson was booked for an off-the-ball shove on Krejci, which resulted in the Czech defender being forced off injured.

Following another delay as fourth official Lewis Smith replaced one of the assistant referees due to injury, Wolves striker Adam Armstrong’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Pascal Struijk went close to increasing Leeds’ lead as his low shot curled the wrong side of a post and in stoppage time, at the end of an uneventful second half, the home side were awarded a penalty.

Hugo Bueno was deemed to have pushed Calvert-Lewin in the box as he raced on to substitute Willy Gnonto’s pass and the Leeds striker smashed home his 11th league goal of the season from the spot.

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