Leeds United cross the finish line but staff Thorp Arch celebrations prove race is not yet run

They have spent countless hours watching game footage since the Argentine's Thorp Arch regime began in 2018, but the fixture playing out on the big screen on the wall overlooking the rows of desks and computer stations on Friday night was telling them something new.

Huddersfield's 2-1 win over West Brom last night sent Leeds into the Premier League, sent a city into raptures and made all the work, the data, the details worthwhile.

While Bielsa's army of technical area generals watched on from the training ground, the playing staff were at Elland Road, trying to enjoy or endure the game together, but both sets of men celebrated in a similar manner, arms around one another, pogoing up and down.

A top two finish is just reward for what everyone working under Bielsa has contributed this season, having picked themselves up off the floor following 2019 play-off semi-final heartache.

Yet you just know that Bielsa isn't quite satisfied yet.

His staff were still at Thorp Arch on a Friday night because there are two games still to be played. Leeds will go to Derby County on Sunday then host Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.

The analysis will continue, the data will be harvested and fed into the players, who will carry out the instructions of Bielsa and his aides. He wants the title.

At the end of Thursday's hard-fought 1-0 win over Barnsley, Bielsa was asked about his interest in the title and he laughed.

"There is only one answer to that question," he said.

Leeds have crossed the finish line but their race is still not run.