Supporters of Leeds United have suffered enough heartbreak to know better than to proclaim the Championship title, and a return to the Premier League, a ‘done deal’.
Who could forget that play-off semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Derby County in 2019? When ‘Stop Crying Frank Lampard’ was echoing throughout Elland Road, belted out very much ironically by the victorious Rams?
Who could forget Leeds’ Wembley no-show just last season? Daniel Farke’s 2024 vintage finished third in a three-horse race for automatic promotion before stumbling against Southampton in the national stadium.
So while Leeds United may have extended their advantage at the top of the table to five points on Tuesday night – the ‘unplayable’ Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe and Dan James obliterated Watford in a 4-0 cruise at Vicarage Road – the proverbial Fat Lady is still in the midst of a sound check while practicing her scales.
Yet, the nature of Leeds’ recent performances, and a sudden flurry of goals from a hatful of attackers playing their best football of the season, has the feeling of everything coming together at precisely the right time.
Leeds are shooting more, scoring more, and sweeping aside their Championship opponents almost disdainfully. Thirteen goals in their last three matches against Cardiff City [7-0], Coventry City [2-0] and Watford [4-0].
Leeds United supporters delighted as Manor Solomon inspires Watford rout
Manor Solomon was keen to pay tribute to the travelling Leeds support in the midst of a near eight-hour round-trip from West Yorkshire to Hertfordshire and back again.
“We just wanted to go to the fans and enjoy this feeling of winning. [The fans] came all the way from Leeds so we are playing for them,” Solomon beamed, the Tottenham loanee hitting the target again with a deflected long-range drive as the visitors stormed into a 3-0 lead just after the half-hour mark.
“Happy to see them happy.”
An admiration very much shared by those in the stands.
After a sluggish start to the campaign – the relationship between the Leeds supporters and Daniel Farke felt a little strained at times, particularly after that 3-0 cup thrashing by Middlesbrough – everyone is pulling in the same direction these days as Utopia becomes that little bit more visible on the horizon with every three-point haul.
‘Unstoppable’ Leeds as fans begin to dream about Championship title
“I love this club,” one beaming supporter wrote on X in response to a video showing the Leeds players displaying their appreciation for the 2,084 souls who braved the midweek M1 traffic.
“It’s special, this side,” another says.
“Honestly, if we keep up this level of performances that we have been, I don’t think we will lose again this season. Finally coming together.
“Massive win for us. We look unstoppable.”
“Let’s keep this unbelievable momentum going!,” a delighted fan adds after Farke’s side extended their unbeaten league run to 14 matches. “WE ARE LEEDS!!!”
There were unmistakable chants of ‘Champions again, ole ole ole’ from the visiting Leeds supporters as Tom Cleverley’s Watford side were put to the sword in an emphatic first-half display. A performance which, if they weren’t already, has Leeds’ Championship rivals proclaiming one automatic promotion spot all-but secured.
“Wow,” says another fan, Leeds’ last league defeat coming back in November. “We look unreal.”
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