Yorkshire | Leeds United move closer to Premier League survival

Leeds United 3 - 1 Burnley

Leeds United edged closer to Premier League safety with a comfortable victory over Burnley, moving nine points clear of the relegation zone

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | Elland Road

Anton Stach set the tone early, scoring in the eighth minute, before Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck shortly after the interval to lift the hosts into 14th place.

The win takes Daniel Farke’s side to 43 points, a total that has historically been enough to avoid relegation in a 38-game Premier League season.

Loum Tchaouna pulled one back for the already relegated visitors, but there was little suggestion of a comeback as Burnley’s winless run extended to nine matches.

Leeds fans celebrate a goal

A closer analysis of what happened

Leeds made their early dominance count when Stach, fit enough to start after his injury against Chelsea, collected a pass from Jaka Bijol and drove a low effort into the bottom corner from distance. It was his fourth goal from outside the box this season, more than any other player in the division.

From there, Leeds controlled proceedings. Stach came close to adding a second before a crucial intervention from Quilindschy Hartman denied him.

Burnley, now without a manager following Scott Parker’s departure in midweek, created their best opportunity on the stroke of half-time, but Jaidon Anthony’s header was inadvertently blocked by team-mate Zian Flemming.

There was no let-up after the break. Okafor doubled the lead within seven minutes, finishing from close range after a fluent move involving Calvert-Lewin and a delivery from Jayden Bogle.

Calvert-Lewin soon added a third, capitalising on an error from Martin Dubravka to register his 12th league goal of the season and effectively settle the contest.

Tchaouna’s late effort offered brief consolation for Burnley, but a 23rd defeat of the campaign leaves them 19th and firmly rooted in the bottom end of the table.