🎧'He's not the Messiah'published at 18:52 BST 12 May
18:52 BST 12 May
Leeds United have secured another season in the Premier League.
After the draw at Spurs, and with West Ham United still to play, they will have a big say in which of those London rivals will fill the final relegation spot. Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix reckon there will be no letting up from the Mighty Whites.
You can hear them debate it on episode 205 of the popular BBC Radio Leeds podcast - Don't Go To Bed Just Yet.
Why Leeds means 'family'published at 15:40 BST 12 May
15:40 BST 12 May
Molly Whitmore Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Where do you even start with this report? The game, or the last two weeks? I'll start with the last two weeks.
I know this report isn't about me, it's about the thing we all love most, Leeds United, but I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who has supported me and my partner after we lost everything in a house fire less than two weeks ago, including our dog Norman, named after the man himself, bites yer legs!
It's been the most horrific time imaginable, but the love and support from the LUFC family has honestly been unbelievable. It's another reminder that this club is far more than just football, it's family. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much to everyone who has reached out, donated, messaged or simply stopped for a chat. It has meant everything.
I was in two minds about going to the game on Monday and I'm still not sure whether it was the right thing to do emotionally, but seeing so many familiar faces and being back around my people did help.
As for the game itself, wasn't it nice for once to have the pressure off? Maybe the atmosphere felt a little flat at times, but given the alternative of needing a result for survival, I'd have taken that all day long.
You can see exactly why Spurs are where they are. There's quality there, no doubt about it, but they're nowhere near clinical enough and they don't have enough physicality or structure to back up the technical players they've got. Lots of nice football at times, but very little edge or bite when it matters.
The Ethan Ampadu penalty incident though was an absolute disgrace from the referee. How play was allowed to continue for that long after a head injury is beyond me. We were stood on the front row and heard the bang of his head straight away. Maybe the referee didn't hear it, but the linesman was right in front of it, right in front of us as well, and somehow nothing was stopped. In a game where player safety is constantly talked about, that simply wasn't good enough.
Nobody in the stands seemed to really talk about the Brighton game. You can't expect much, but our last game at home knowing we are playing Premier League football is great. But... West Ham on the final day. It would be nice to send them down, wouldn't it? Although ideally Spurs don't survive purely because of the stadium, the support and some of the players they've got on their books. Either way, let's finish the season properly and enjoy the ride together. MOT.
'Farke deserves all the praise he gets'published at 12:21 BST 12 May
12:21 BST 12 May
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds fan Gyp Walters says the team has shown they are "still up for it" despite already achieving their main objective of Premier League survival.
West Ham's defeat on Sunday confirmed safety for Daniel Farke's side, but the Whites still showed fight to come from a goal down in Monday's 1-1 draw at Spurs and could have easily won the game late on.
"At the start of the season I thought we would survive and the reason is we would be really hard to beat," Walters told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"That's 10 games in a row now away that we haven't lost.
"We've gone 23 games with only four losses in total. We're always going to be tough to beat but we've proven to be resilient.
"We didn't start the game very well at all, Spurs put us under a lot of pressure, but we came into it and when you look at the stats they are quite even.
"We were quick on the break and if it hadn't been for that world class save at the end from Kinsky, which was just amazing, we could have won it.
"I think some people thought we were on the beach and all that stuff, but we've got a togetherness in the team and they don't want to lose a match. Simple as that.
"They are still up for it because they are all together, playing for each other, and you've seen that all the way through - even when we were struggling at the start of the season.
"They get 100% support from Farke who is potentially up there with manager of the season for keeping a newly-promoted side up like this and performing so well - especially in a league where we're going to have a record points total for staying up.
"He deserves all the praise he gets and he will definitely be around next season."
Col boy: Summed up our season. Scored and looked good but, as usual, the lack of quality from Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani cost us. The lack of discipline from Mathys Tel was no different to that of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven in previous games. Clearly a problem with the players. Once we concede, players' heads drop when they should do the opposite. Not sure if the players have the bottle to get a result at Chelsea.
John: Never easy with Spurs! Need a clearout of underperforming players whatever league we end up in next season!
Terry: After the performance against Aston Villa, a similar performance would have been very welcome against Leeds. Unfortunately, we didn't get one. If Spurs play like this against Chelsea and Everton then we will be relegated. A lot of the Spurs players really need to step up to the plate. I feel some of them really couldn't care less about their performance for our club and the quicker they leave Spurs the better. I really hope that Roberto de Zerbi rips into his squad after this really poor result. They got what they deserved, which wasn't much.
Steve: Why have we not had a penalty all season? Everyone wants Spurs relegated. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
Leeds fans
David: Leeds were fantastic. Slow start but they snuffed out Spurs in the first half. Second half, someone should have been on Tel - then he doesn't score. No idea how he didn't get a red for the penalty. Ref not the best. Antonin Kinsky's save was amazing - otherwise we'd have won. MOT.
Billy: Another tremendous result. Could have won it but a draw was probably fair. Great credit due to the players and manager. However, we need to strengthen for next season. Unfortunately, we're carrying a few and they need to be moved on.
Kevin: We're getting stronger and very hard to beat. A few signings in the summer and we start next season in good shape.
Eric: A very lacklustre first 45 minutes and even the start of the second half. But Leeds grew into the game and were unlucky not to grab all three points. Questions surely have to be asked about where those 13 added-on minutes came from?
'We wear the shirt with pride' - Ampadu on Premier League survivalpublished at 08:59 BST 12 May
08:59 BST 12 May
Media caption,
Leeds United will play another season in the Premier League after avoiding relegation and captain Ethan Ampadu believes "moments like that" are something to celebrate.
West Ham's defeat by Arsenal on Sunday ensured Leeds' points tally was enough for survival, before they picked up another in their draw at Tottenham on Monday.
"It's a massive achievement for the club and I think moments like that you have to celebrate," Ampadu told BBC Radio Leeds after the match.
"It's not winning the league or anything like that, but it's a very big moment for this club to stay in the Premier League again.
"It was a bit weird because normally you do it off the back of your own result, but then obviously there was a relaxed mood at dinner last night, a good mood and good vibes but then from this morning it was focus on this game.
"We wanted to play this game how we have the whole season, wear the shirt with pride and put in our best performance."
Click play above to hear the whole chat or listen on BBC Sounds here
Tottenham 1-1 Leeds: What Farke saidpublished at 22:51 BST 11 May
22:51 BST 11 May
Media caption,
Leeds boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "During the long season there are sometimes games that you don't win just with the quality football-wise. Of course it was a difficult game, Tottenham were highly motivated with the back to back wins, the stadium was on it. For us the big pressure was off us with the results but it was a difficult week, we had to play without many key players and also during the game some setbacks.
"It was another setback early in the second half to concede but the mentality that the players showed, we stepped up and fully deserved to equalised. Then we didn't stop we wanted to go for it, and in the end the chances with Sean [Longstaff] nearly won this game. It says a lot about the team."
On the importance of mentality this season: "We are a promoted side so we won't win games in this league because of our quality. We also need a top fitness level, a top game plan, we need to be versatile in the tactical approach, and we can play a three man or four man formation, change during the game too.
"This is what you need to do. You need to show great resilience, mental strength and togetherness. I can't really remember apart from the Arsenal game where we were not competitive."
Leeds United are unbeaten in their previous seven Premier League games (W3 D4); it's their joint-longest unbeaten run in the league this season after December/January.
Hit play below to hear defender Joe Rodon praising the fight shown by United or listen on BBC Sounds here
Analysis: Farke's mission accomplishedpublished at 22:47 BST 11 May
22:47 BST 11 May
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds manager Daniel Farke took well-earned acclaim from the travelling fans after another hard-earned point that reflected so well on him and his players.
Farke's mission for this season was to ensure Leeds stayed in the Premier League - one that has been accomplished with time to spare.
Leeds' attitude in this 1-1 draw was exemplary, with no sign of easing up even though Spurs' need was clearly greater than theirs.
Farke's side contested the game fiercely, and could easily have dropped Spurs further into trouble had keeper Antonin Kinsky not made that miraculous stoppage-time save from Sean Longstaff.
The FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea at Wembley was a major disappointment, but overall this season has been a highly-satisfactory one for Farke and Leeds, who can now use the summer to further establish themselves in the Premier League next term.
Tottenham v Leeds: Team newspublished at 19:05 BST 11 May
19:05 BST 11 May
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi keeps the same side that beat Aston Villa last time out.
Antonin Kinsky is in with Guglielmo Vicario still injured while Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur are favoured in midfield after a stellar showing last time out.
Conor Gallagher will make his 150th Premier League appearance.
Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur, Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel, Richarlison.
Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 08:25 BST 11 May
08:25 BST 11 May
Tottenham Hotspur, who produced one of their best displays of the season against Aston Villa to move out of the botttom three, now take on a Leeds United side that have alleviated their own relegation fears thanks to an excellent run of form. BBC Sport takes a look at the key themes ahead of Monday's match (20:00 BST).
Away form boosting Spurs' survival chances
For the first time in a long while Tottenham fans have hope. Back-to-back wins have alleviated the gloom, taken them out of the bottom three and put their relegation destiny back into their own hands.
They were excellent in victory against Aston Villa, tearing into Unai Emery's men from kick-off in a committed performance that had fans scratching their heads as to where it had been all season. Roberto De Zerbi's impact on players and fans alike has been huge and the new-found belief in his players is clear to see.
Remarkably, they go into this weekend sitting third in the away form table behind only title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City (albeit having played a game more than a few of their rivals below them).
A whopping 70.3% of their points have come on the road, the highest proportion of away points won by any team in any Premier League season. However, a figure skewed in that direction normally ends badly.
There's no secret as to why they are where they are in the league. Their abysmal record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - in which they have won only twice, accrued 11 points and scored only 20 goals in their 17 matches - tells its own story.
They have lost 10 league matches at home in successive seasons and a further defeat would see them equal the club record of 11 set in the 1991-92 season.
They do at least have the advantage of boasting an excellent recent record against Leeds. The Yorkshire side haven't won on any of their last six visits to Spurs dating back to 2001 and have only won two of their last 15 encounters in all competitions.
Leeds close to sealing safety
Not so long ago this fixture was ringed as a huge relegation six-pointer by Leeds fans. However, their superb run of form has propelled them to the verge of safety. No team has ever been relegated with 43 points in a 38-game Premier League season and they could officially be safe by Sunday evening if West Ham lose to Arsenal.
Daniel Farke's side are unbeaten in their last six league matches and another game without defeat would see them become the first newly promoted side since Middlesbrough in 1998-99 to have two runs of seven or more matches without defeat in the same top-flight season, having done similar from December to early January.
Only six Premier League teams have won more points than Leeds' 32 since the start of December and only Manchester City, Manchester United and Bournemouth have lost fewer top-flight games than their four in the 22 matches within that time. Quite the turnaround after losing eight of their first 13 matches on their top-flight return.
They have been particularly impressive away from home of late going six in a row without defeat on the road, including a famous victory at Old Trafford.
Their season's tally of 47 goals scored is the same as fifth-placed Aston Villa and they have scored three or more times in an impressive eight different matches, a tally only Manchester City (12) and Brentford (nine) can surpass.
Sutton's predictions: Tottenham v Leedspublished at 13:34 BST 10 May
13:34 BST 10 May
Leeds are all but safe now and they could be absolutely sure of staying up by the time they play this game.
That scenario would definitely suit Spurs but I am going to back Roberto de Zerbi's side here regardless.
What a performance that was by them at Aston Villa last week. People have criticised Villa but that display and result felt enormous for Tottenham.
It took them out of the bottom three and meant Spurs, at last, have got a bit of momentum after winning two league games in a row for the first time since August.
I am expecting more of the same here, so I am going to say they will make it three wins on the spin with the same scoreline that saw them win at Elland Road in October.
Riemer on Farke's health, Gudmundsson and 'massive' achievementspublished at 15:57 BST 8 May
15:57 BST 8 May
Tasnim Chowdhury BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was unwell on Friday and did not attend his weekly news conference.
Instead, assistant coach Eddie Riemer has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Farke's health, Riemer said: "He is ill, didn't sound too good but I am pretty sure he will be alright [for Monday]."
In terms of team news left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson will be out for this week and the club will "need to assess him on a daily basis". Forward Noah Okafor picked up a calf injury, damaging his right calf after the FA Cup exit and then his left calf after the match against Burnley.
There is hope Pascal Struijk will be available as he was training with the team again on Friday.
On Okafor, Riemer said the forward is "getting settled with a great bunch of players" and is the type of player that needs to "feel comfortable" at the club.
He said midfielder Anton Stach is a "special player", adding: "He manages to play in the pockets. You can also see he can hit the ball with left and right foot."
Riemer spoke about his role with Farke: "We've worked for a long spell so I think I'm a traditional assistant. I do set-pieces as well. We always have discussions in the manager's office and sometimes heated debates, 100%. He always wants to hear opinions then makes up his own mind and his own conclusions."
On securing safety from relegation, Riemer said it will be "massive", stating: "If you see our previous seasons, it seems like every season has to be special to achieve what we want to achieve. Usually you talk about points per game and how it might not be enough. Now we are on 43 it's truly something special. With three games to go, I think in the form table we are the second best, it's massive. Credit to the players."
On playing Tottenham on Monday night: "It will be a huge test. Spurs will go for it, the manager has managed to get them out of relegation places so we need to be up to it and maintain our top form. It is the best form we have been in all season. We want to finish the season on a high and as soon as possible, seal it mathematically."
On Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi's impact at the club: "It is not for me to judge from the outside but he has an impact on the players, they follow what he says, what he wants to do. He gives them confidence. You see his patterns coming through, week to week, and results help. They're getting the confidence. It's becoming a different Tottenham than before."
'I'm so happy I can help the team' - Okaforpublished at 08:17 BST 8 May
08:17 BST 8 May
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United winger Noah Okafor says his biggest targets this season were to "adapt in the Premier League, be ready in each and every game, train hard and try to improve".
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, the 25-year-old said: "You can see when I'm on the pitch I try to give everything to help the team.
"I'm so happy that I can help the team - also with some goals. For an outfield player I think it's the nicest thing to score and to win."
The winger has only missed six games due to injury this campaign - fewer than in each of the past six seasons.
To ensure he has been available for Daniel Farke's side, Okafor said he has worked "extremely hard" off the pitch, which he believes has helped significantly and the medical staff at the club are "transparent" and have "a clear plan" - something he feels is important when you get an injury.
Farke 'knows exactly what he wants from the players' - Okaforpublished at 17:11 BST 7 May
17:11 BST 7 May
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United's Noah Okafor says head coach Daniel Farke knows how to bring the best out of him by giving the winger "freedom".
"For me, he is a top coach and a top guy," Okafor told BBC Radio Leeds.
"He knows exactly what he wants from the players - that's why I feel so comfortable.
"He has given me a little bit of freedom in front to move a little bit how I feel and I think he knows this. I try to always give everything for him, for the team and the fans.
"He is a really good coach. I need this freedom to perform at the highest level and that is what I'm doing now."
Okafor also feels forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin positively influences his performances.
"The way he moves, fights, wins second balls and holds the ball is really useful and successful for me. With him in front, I play really comfortably," he added.
"He's also a good guy off the pitch, I really like him. We have to keep going like this and try to score more and more."
'Farke is on his way to the top - I hope it's with Leeds'published at 12:59 BST 7 May
12:59 BST 7 May
Image source, Getty Images
Will Leeds boss Daniel Farke be impacted by the expected impending Premier League managerial merry-go-round this summer?
BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast team are estimating as many as nine managerial changes before the 2026-27 season begins, with Adam Pope hoping the Whites hold on to Farke.
"There's business still to be done here. There's a lot more this club can do and you negotiate when you're on a high, don't you? He's in a great position," said Pope.
"Things like transfer budgets will be important to him this summer if they are going to go to the next stage. All that goes into the mix."
When challenged over whether Farke might fancy his chances with a club outside of England's top flight, Pope said the German would be capable of managing a side competing in a European competition but believes there's time for that.
"He's only 49 and so it's not the like the chance would pass him by for a Champions League club or so-called top six club.
"I do feel that he's on his way to the top. I hope it's with Leeds but Leeds, as a club, still have a way to go, don't they?
"You don't think it's going to be Champions League in the next year or two, but he might want to do that."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
🎧 I need this freedom - Okaforpublished at 09:04 BST 7 May
09:04 BST 7 May
BBC Radio Leeds sat down with Whites winger Noah Okafor to talk about head coach Daniel Farke, his career to date at Elland Road and his hopes to go to the World Cup with Switzerland.
'Looking upwards rather than downwards'published at 11:43 BST 6 May
11:43 BST 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix is optimistic of Leeds looking more up towards a mid-table finish in the Premier League rather than worrying about relegation in the remaining three games of the season.
The Whites are just one win away from mathematical safety, seven points ahead of 18th placed West Ham with three other teams between them and the relegation zone. Yet some fans still fear a "Leedsy" end to the season could put Daniel Farke's side in danger.
Rix told BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet co-hosts Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope: "Having seen the weekend with Spurs winning and obviously West Ham losing, it's nice. I know in your opinion, I still need to worry, which I don't think I need to worry.
"It's nice to be far away from it and looking and going, 'look at those guys, that's a bit tricky for them.
"I think we're going to have our part to play because we could beat Spurs and put them back in it with West Ham, depending on what West Ham do.
"I had a look at Palace's fixtures actually, their game in hand is Man City so that could leave us even, with them having even worse goal difference and they've got other things to worry about in Europe. All those [Premier League] places count don't they for an extra bit of money so I think, genuinely, I am looking upwards rather than downwards."
The podcast goes on to discuss the motivation for Leeds to secure safety themselves rather than relying on other results.
A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is available to download and listen to now on BBC Sounds.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix chat all things Leeds United after a big win over Burnley that could be enough to clinch safety if other results go their way before the visit to Tottenham on Monday.
The panel cover all the bases heading into the trip to north London and have their say on the controversial music choice at Elland Road which has gone viral.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
When Ao Tanaka's shot was parried into the warm Elland Road air on Friday night by a sprawling Martin Dubravka, there was one player in the penalty area, eyes-wide, that was more alert than anyone else.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's leap seemed to leave his outstretched boot dangling for an age before his touch clipped the ball into the Burnley net for Leeds' third goal on the night and the Englishman's 13th of the season.
Leeds' number nine has matched his tally for his previous three campaigns at Everton combined; and part of the reason for his resurgence has been his fitness.
The three games Calvert-Lewin has missed this year are his fewest absent for five seasons.
Brought in at the back end of last summer on a free transfer, the Leeds striker was part of a trio of attackers that the club recruited who all had worrying injury records, that included Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor.
But United's medical team have ensured the Whites squad has missed the fewest games this season of any Premier League side on 77. By comparison Tottenham have missed the most on 363.
However, Calvert-Lewin's form cannot be explained by fitness alone.
Five months ago, the striker called Leeds "a breath of fresh air".
In March, he credited the club as the key reason he was back in an England shirt.
And after the Burnley game, the striker praised Daniel Farke, stating: "He has certainly helped get the best out of me this season and filled me with confidence."
Calvert-Lewin's improvised finish last Friday might have come off the boot of a free transfer, but if it keeps Leeds in the Premier League, it will be a golden touch worth over £100m.
From his hold-up play to his goals and goal-line clearances, Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation for Leeds this season and a big reason why they are almost mathematically safe.
'I work hard for moments like this'published at 08:27 BST 4 May
08:27 BST 4 May
Noah Okafor says Leeds United's victory over Burnley was "another great result in the right direction" but maintains they have to "stay on it" because there are still three games of the Premier League season remaining.
The Whites are seven points clear of the bottom three.
Okafor, who scored the second goal at Elland Road on Friday, told BBC Radio Leeds: "I work hard for moments like this. When I'm fit, I give everything to help the team. It was another great day."
Asked whether Leeds feel like Premier League safety is confirmed, the 25-year-old Switzerland forward said: "To all of the people on the outside world, maybe yes. We enjoy the moment and we enjoy the three points.
"We don't care about the other results, we look at ourselves. There are still three games left and we'll see what happens."
