Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the 90+6th minute to give Leeds United a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road.
The decisive moment came after a Jan Paul van Hecke back pass put Brighton under pressure, allowing Calvert-Lewin to round the goalkeeper and finish. Leeds took full advantage to claim all three points in their final home Premier League fixture of the season.
Leeds dig in before the breakthrough
The match was competitive for long spells, with Brighton controlling much of the ball and Leeds needing to stay organised without it. At half-time the game was still goalless, and Brighton had been the more controlling side, but Leeds remained in the contest.
Leeds had gone into the game with one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Tottenham. Pascal Struijk was replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw. Brighton also made one change after their 3-0 win over Wolves, with Kaoru Mitoma missing out and Joel Veltman coming into the starting line-up.
The Leeds side named for kick-off included Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, James Justin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Brighton started with Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Kaoru Mitoma’s replacement Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck.
Late mistake decides the game
For most of the afternoon, Brighton looked capable of taking something from the match. Sky Sports described the visitors as having the better chances at times, while Leeds had to show patience and discipline to stay level.
The decisive goal arrived deep into stoppage time. Van Hecke’s pass back towards Verbruggen did not carry enough weight, and Calvert-Lewin reacted quickest. The Leeds forward kept his composure, took the ball around the goalkeeper and rolled it into the net.
That goal settled the contest and brought a dramatic end to the afternoon at Elland Road. Sky Sports reported that Leeds were unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches after the win.
Reactions to a dramatic finish
After the match, Daniel Farke praised Leeds’ mentality, saying his side had to defend and stay in the game before taking their chance. He said the team showed spirit, togetherness and belief.
Calvert-Lewin said Leeds had to “hang in there” at times and felt Brighton were arguably the better side for long periods. He added that belief stayed high in the Leeds camp before the late winner arrived.
Sky Sports also reported that Anton Stach was stretched off with an ankle injury, adding to Leeds’ injury concerns as the game ended. The result nevertheless gave Leeds a memorable finish to their home schedule and a strong note to end on at Elland Road.
What the result means
NBC Sports reported that Leeds moved on to 47 points and remained unbeaten in eight straight games, with four wins in that run. Brighton stayed on 53 points in seventh place after their hopes of a European campaign were checked by the defeat.
For Leeds, the victory capped their final home league match of the campaign with a late and hard-earned win. For Brighton, it was a frustrating afternoon after controlling large parts of the contest but leaving empty-handed.
The game was decided by a single moment of composure from Calvert-Lewin, and Leeds made it count.
