Leeds United ended their 2025/26 home Premier League campaign with a dramatic 1-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. Dominic Calvert-Lewin capitalised on a defensive error five minutes into second-half added-time to hand his side a brilliant three points.
The first-half ebbed and flowed with half-chances falling to either side, Daniel James seeing a goalbound shot blocked by Lewis Dunk following a cleared Leeds corner while Karl Darlow did well to save a swerving Pascal Gross strike. Brighton upped their tempo after the break but their hosts continued to defend well, while the likes of Diego Gomez and Jack Hinshelwood snatched at efforts.
Anton Stach was stretchered off with a concerning ankle injury on 74 minutes following an awkward fall with Carlos Baleba, with his replacement Joel Piroe coming close just minutes later. The game looked set to end goalless but there was a huge twist, with Calvert-Lewin pouncing on Jan Paul van Hecke’s woeful back-pass, rounding goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and rolling into an empty net.
YEP chief football writer was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Karl Darlow
8 - Made one spectacular save in the first half and was very solid with everything else he did. | Getty Images
2. CB: Joe Rodon
8 - Burst forward a couple of times to help out with attacks. Very steady in his own half. | Getty Images
3. CB: Jaka Bijol
9 - Aerially dominant. Looked comfortable throughout. Defended the box well. Came up with two big blocks. | Getty Images
4. CB: Sebastiaan Bornauw
8 - Solid defensively for the vast majority. One or two good passes forward. | Getty Images
5. RWB: Daniel James
7 - Bright performance. Did well up against Minteh, beaten only once. Got forward to cause a few problems. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
8 - Captain reliable again. Goal-saving clearance in the second half epitomised his attitude to the game. Played well. | Getty Images