Leeds United 3-1 Burnley: Still Going — Square Ball 4/5/26

Can't stop won't stop

Written by: Rob Conlon

Burnley turned up to Elland Road on Friday night without a manager or much hope. Indeed, they only had one trick left up their sleeve, turning Leeds around ahead of kick-off in a desperate attempt to summon the last drops of bad juju from their victory in Beeston at the start of last season. It worked for all of a minute, Dominic Calvert-Lewin letting Noah Okafor’s cross hit him on the side of his face when in front of goal in the opening sixty seconds, around the exact moment Mateo Joseph was streaking away towards the Kop only to Pat Bamford a one-on-one wide of the target way back in September 2024.

Elland Road was still recovering from a summer-long post-Wembley hangover that day, a bag of nerves fuelled by the usual early season angst and uncertainty. In comparison, getting back to LS11 on Friday night was exactly what everybody needed after our latest weekend in the capital. This time, nobody was in the mood to feel sorry for themselves, the crowd defiantly refusing to let go of the refrain of the run-in, ‘United are back!’

It didn’t take long before any fears that Burnley were going to once again leave Leeds banging their heads against a wall were allayed. At Wembley, Anton Stach’s choice to shoot with power over precision was thwarted by Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez but, when presented with the decision all over again 25 yards from goal, left Burnley ‘keeper Martin Dubravaka dumbfounded by going for precision over power, perfectly picking out the bottom corner with a daisycutter that trickled into the net.

The nature of the finish left most people asking how it had gone in, but the build up shouldn’t be ignored, as Leeds combined some intelligent pass and move — James Justin popping up from left wing-back as a number 10 to almost create a chance for Calvert-Lewin only seconds earlier — with a belligerence to keep Burnley penned onto the edge of their own penalty area as Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol made sure any attempted clearances went straight back at the visitors.

Despite Scum reject Hannibal Mejbri warming up on the touchline receiving some well-earned abuse after spitting at Leeds fans in the reverse fixture earlier this season, referee Thomas Bramall still insisted on making himself a pantomime villain. Having accidentally sent off Gabi Gudmundsson at Selhurst Park, it was almost comforting to notice that the look of panic still hasn’t left his face, as if — like the rest of us — he lives in constant fear of not knowing why he’s just blown his whistle. As Bramall walked away from giving Calvert-Lewin a ridiculously soft yellow card at the start of the second half, the Leeds striker was caught on camera appearing to mutter under his breath, “Stupid knobhead.”

But Leeds didn’t succumb to frustration, instead remaining patient in possession. Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Stach combined with some enterprising football down the right as the latter’s cross was cut out before it reached Justin, once again embracing his inner-Firpo, at the near post.

Shortly afterwards, Burnley cracked, Bashir Humphreys dozily gifting the ball to Calvert-Lewin, who headed down the right towards the corner flag all alone as the only Leeds player in the opposition’s half. Bogle set off closer to his own penalty area than Burnley’s, as Calvert-Lewin cleverly held onto possession until an ice-cold backheel released Bogle into the box. Bogle likewise took a breath and steadied himself before swishing a cross towards Okafor, who bounced a volley into the ground and into the back of the net. Three touches of class in the space of three seconds made sure three points were heading to Leeds United.

For some reason Burnley interim Mike ‘Definitely Not Michael’ Jackson responded by immediately bringing on Hannibal, livening up a crowd that was already enjoying a party. Judging by the rest of the game, Hannibal was on to get the ball from the defence and hoof long balls forward in any direction, but his introduction was met by being clattered by Ao Tanaka, followed by Okafor winning a throw-in and Leeds scoring a third. Ethan Ampadu’s long throw led to Tanaka shooting from the edge of the box and Calvert-Lewin toeing the rebound over the line, a poacher’s finish that was a fine reward for his earlier improvisation.

While the simple maths of the league table means Leeds may not be allowed to completely relax for the rest of the season just yet, they could at least get their feet up for the remaining half hour of the game. Moments after Lucas Pires had a consolation ruled out for offside, Loum Tchaouna scored anyway after Pascal Struijk’s legs briefly stopped working, but even a crowd as justifiably pessimistic as Leeds’ couldn’t be arsed fretting. Screw the maths, this is surely done, right?

Upon returning home, I spotted a tweet from our old friend Phil Hay asking whether Anton Stach should be Leeds’ Player of the Year. It was heartening to read the replies and notice just how many other players were being mentioned as contenders. Ampadu, Gudmundsson, Calvert-Lewin, Justin, Darlow, Rodon, Struijk. There are arguments for them all, and it is the strength of this Leeds team that while there may not be outright standouts there is a solid core who we can rely on.

In his post-match press conference, Farke outlined how this has been a success of attitude over aptitude:

“The work ethic and spirit in the dressing room is second to none. I’m pretty picky who I bring in. We need outstanding fitness level, a good gameplan, good tactical behaviour, top mentality, we always have to go physically over the line and need strong nerves. This is a sign if you deliver some of your best performances and results in the crunch time. I’m just proud of this. It was so crucial that mentality was on the same level as ability.”

It may not be glamorous but it has taken Leeds to 14th, with only one side in the bottom half having scored more goals than the Peacocks. If results elsewhere mean that Leeds aren’t allowed to ease off just yet, it bodes well that the evidence of the last two years suggests this is a team that doesn’t know how to stop.