Kyle Newbould: I watched Leeds United's 3-1 win vs Burnley - here are my 3 key conclusions
Lessons learned from another milestone win for Leeds United in the Premier League relegation fight.
Leeds United took another massive step towards Premier League safety following Friday’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley. Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin capped off a dominant Whites performance to pull nine points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Leeds showed no signs of an FA Cup semi-final hangover with Stach rifling home a 25-yard effort inside eight minutes. And they started the second-half just as quick, with Okafor volleying home on 52 minutes and Calvert-Lewin making it 3-0 from close range not long after.
Burnley pulled one back through Loum Tchaouna but Leeds managed the final portion of action well and were rarely tested beyond that consolation. Below, the YEP takes a look at some key takeaways from the night.
Anton Stach’s long-range threat
The concern pre-game around Elland Road was whether Leeds would find a way to break down Burnley’s resolute low block, and whether an inability to do so would create tension. A lengthy period at 0-0 would have brought unease in the stands but Stach had the perfect solution, simply belting one in from distance nice and early.
The German cushioned a brilliant line-breaking Jaka Bijol pass with his right foot and in one swift movement, rifled the ball in with his left at Martin Dubravka’s near post. It certainly took the Burnley shot-stopper by surprise - and even some portions of Elland Road - but given Stach’s record from distance, perhaps it shouldn’t have.
That was Stach’s fourth Premier League goal from outside the box this season, with no other top-flight player scoring more - Liverpool’s Dominic Szoboszlai and Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City are level. The strike also kickstarted another outstanding performance from the 6ft 4ins German, who is surely staking his claim for Player of the Season.
Leeds United on the front foot
It also shouldn’t have been much of a surprise to see Leeds get on the front foot so quickly, particularly with the slow start of last week’s FA Cup defeat fresh in the memory. The Whites were punished for their sloppiness at Wembley and made a point of controlling things against Burnley from kick-off.
In getting that early goal, Leeds notched their 24th first-half effort of the Premier League season, a tally only bettered by title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City. Looking at the opening 45 minutes in isolation, Friday’s 1-0 scoreline would have theoretically taken Farke’s side up to sixth in the first-half table.
Their ability to hold onto those first-half leads has been mixed this season, as would be expected of a newly-promoted side fighting to survive, but by starting so fast Leeds are giving themselves a foothold in a lot of games. And it certainly helps to get the Elland Road atmosphere going.
A reminder to keep pushing
Leeds are now virtually safe but their season cannot end now, and the current Premier League table is a reminder why. Victory over Burley opened up that gap on Tottenham but it also pulled the Whites above Newcastle United and into 14th. They’re level on points with Crystal Palace and three short of Sunderland in 12th.
Chairman Paraag Marathe said in the summer anything above 18th would be ‘gravy’ but with survival now all but secure, Leeds might as well start looking up for these final three games. They deserve to finish as high as possible in the table and with each position earning an increase in competition revenue, there is a financial benefit for the club.
"The last three games are important for us,” Stach said immediately after full-time. “We're in a good mood. Look at us today with the fans, hopefully, we get the wins there as well.” The nerves might be gone but there is still plenty for Leeds to compete for and Farke won’t be easing up.