Jack Harrison's 94th-minute winner meant that Leeds United secured their Premier League status for a third season. The Whites came into the day knowing that they could achieve survival if they bettered Burnley's result against Newcastle United on the final day and - after a few nervy early moments - the day panned out perfectly for Jesse Marsch's side.
There were the disappointments of Joe Gelhardt's goal being rule out for offside by VAR and Sergi Canos' goal for Brentford to make it 1-1 but due to Newcastle remaining in the lead at Turf Moor, Leeds were always in the driving seat to stay up. Now they can concentrate on building for their third season back in the top tier.
The good news about next season is that now the Whites' odds of remaining in the Premier League jumps up hugely, after beating the drop for two seasons. Leeds have done the tough job. They comfortably survived the first season, where 44% of the time a promoted side is relegated straight back to the Championship. They made their second season look much more like hard work but in staying up on the final day, they did what Sheffield United were unable to do last year, as well as 38% of the previous teams to survive their first season in the league.
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Now, they go into their third season knowing that 90% of those teams to survive their first two seasons in a spell in the Premier League have also survived in their next one. That's not to say that they don't have a lot of work to do, they will know they have several first-team signings to make but they are already ahead of the curve on that with a deal for Brenden Aaronson reported to be close to completion almost immediately after the final whistle at the Brentford Community Stadium.
However, they have now got a much stronger base to work from, which is something the club's CEO, Angus Kinnear has spoken about in the past as being vital to the club's future plans, saying that Leeds' spending in their first summer back in the division was for 'two seasons,' with a smaller outlay in their second, seeing only Daniel James and Junior Firpo coming through the doors at Thorp Arch. If Leeds are to not become one of those 10% who are relegated in their third season in the league, they must go again with a big investment into the playing staff.
This is particularly important, given that star man, Raphinha is likely to leave this summer. Victor Orta will have to be active in replacing Leeds' top scorer, as well as adding quality in multiple other positions. Fortunately, he will have another year's worth of Premier League money, plus whatever fee Leeds manage to negotiate, should they sell the Brazilian, to work with.
Marsch spoke to Sky Sports recently, saying that the future plan for the Whites was competing for European football in 'three years'. If Orta can recruit effectively this summer, Leeds should be well set to begin the climb up the table which they crave.
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