Leeds United learn Christmas Day fate with Premier League relegation boost confirmed
Another of Leeds United’s Premier League relegation rivals dropped points on Monday.
Leeds United will spend Christmas Day two places above the Premier League relegation zone after receiving a timely boost to their survival hopes on Monday night.
Daniel Farke’s side climbed up to 16th on Saturday night after a dominant performance saw them beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Elland Road. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red-hot form continued with a first-half brace while Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach capped off an outstanding performance with second-half efforts.
That result pulled Leeds six points clear of West Ham United in 18th and the Whites also leapfrogged Nottingham Forest, who weren’t due to play until their Monday-night trip to Fulham. Sean Dyche’s side needed three points to climb back into 16th but instead fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat.
The game was decided by a first-half added-time penalty which was awarded after Douglas Luiz fouled Brazilian winger Kevin in the box. A VAR check confirmed the decision and Jimenez subsequently buried the spot-kick, with a game of few chances ending at 1-0.
"We got into good moments, but never really threatened - you have to ask more questions,” a disappointed Dyche told Sky Sports after the defeat. “Our goalkeeper has not had a save to make, apart from their penalty. Just disappointed, we had looked a threat [against Tottenham] but tonight we didn't when we got into the final third.
"Sometimes it is just a frustrating night. There was not much in the game, I don't think it was a particularly good game but you have to get something from it and we weren't able to. They got praise rightly for a big performance last week, but that edge, that killer instinct was not there tonight and it's a reminder if you're not at it it will go against you.
"We want to win as many games as we can and it was a good opportunity tonight. It would've been a good point. We didn't do enough to lose the game so that's the frustration. We have to do the basics better."
Leeds United’s Christmas Day fate confirmed
That defeat for Forest means Leeds are now guaranteed to spend Christmas Day in 16th, a position many would have taken before the season kicked off and even more so one month ago. Farke’s side were in the relegation zone on goal difference on November 25 but eight points in four games has fuelled a significant turnaround heading into the festive period.
Leeds could drop back into 17th by the time they kick off at Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, with Forest in action 24 hours earlier. They do, however, host title contenders Manchester City while West Ham welcome Fulham to the London Stadium also on Saturday.
Farke’s side will therefore know exactly where they stand before kick-off at the Stadium of Light and what each result will do to their Premier League position. The Whites will be solely focused on themselves as things stand though, with the season not yet at its halfway point.