Quite how significant these dramatic final few moments inside Elland Road prove to be for Brighton’s season will only truly be realised next weekend. But as Fabian Hürzeler bowed his head when Dominic Calvert-Lewin sent Leeds’ supporters into raptures again, you suspected he knew just how much of a missed opportunity this could prove to be.
Victories here are not easy these days. This is not the same Leeds who were mired in relegation trouble for most of this season; they are sixth and above Brighton in a Premier League table of fixtures played since the start of December, underlining the wonderful job Daniel Farke has done in the second half of their first year back in the top flight.
But this felt like a moment for Brighton to flex their own muscles and take a decisive step towards a return to European football.
Leeds’ players were not necessarily on the beach, underlined best by the final score, but the mood around Elland Road was one of celebration after securing Premier League survival, rather than one of tension.
There were chances for Brighton to claim the win that would have assured European football and maintained genuine hopes of a first Champions League campaign. But in the end, Hürzeler’s men were architects of their own downfall, as they self-combusted at precisely the wrong moment to ensure their European hopes go to the final day with a multitude of permutations in play.
Victory against Manchester United next Sunday will ensure there is European football of some sort at the Amex next season.
There is a slight chance it could be the Champions League too, though those flickering hopes will be extinguished if Bournemouth beat Manchester City on Tuesday. Even then, Aston Villa have to win the Europa League and finish fifth.
So, the more likely option remains Europa or Conference League football, which is still eminently within Brighton’s grasp. But when Jan Paul van Hecke’s loose backpass to Bart Verbruggen was picked off by Calvert-Lewin for the England international to score his 14th league goal of the season, it ensured a potentially priceless point slipped from their grasp.
“We had a good game, particularly the second half,” Hürzeler said. “We controlled it and created plenty of chances, but in the end it’s all about errors.
“We made one error and got punished for it. We have to accept it and prepare for the last game, but it’s still in our hands.”
What would be more frustrating for Hürzeler was that the winning goal was Leeds’ only shot on target.
Brighton had maintained control of the contest for most of the afternoon, even having the better chances prior to Calvert-Lewin’s strike. A fairly dour and tepid first half brought little in the way of clearcut opportunities but things came to life after the restart.
Danny Welbeck’s goalbound effort was cleared off the line by a brilliant diving header from Ethan Ampadu, while the substitute Diego Gómez had a glorious opportunity to score a crucial goal for the visitors, flashing his strike high and wide of Karl Darlow despite being free in the penalty area as the game entered the final quarter.
But those missed chances were telling. Van Hecke’s pass to Verbruggen wasn’t strong enough, giving Calvert-Lewin just enough time to get to the ball before the Brighton goalkeeper and coolly slot home to send Elland Road wild once again.
A word for Leeds who, as mentioned, are among the best in the Premier League on form in the second half of the season.
They can look forward to next season with genuine optimism, thanks in no small part to Farke, who deserves immense credit for instilling a turnaround in their fortunes.
“It sums up our season perfectly,” the German reflected. “It was such a difficult game, we had to defend, but we stayed in the game. A priceless three points for us.”
Their season is done in terms of consequence, but they may have one more crucial act to play on Sunday when they travel to West Ham.
As for Brighton, they will host Manchester United on the season’s final day knowing the stakes couldn’t be greater but nor is the prize. They cannot afford to make the same mistake again.
