Cheers from Burnley
In a moment which felt like the season was finally turning in Leeds United’s favour, there were cheers from the Whites end even before Joe Gelhardt hit the net. News had filtered through of a penalty shout for Newcastle United at Turf Moor.
And as the cheers rang out, Leeds broke through the Brentford lines to see Gelhardt smash home into the roof of the net. Those are the moments you pay to be in the away end for. VAR took away one half of the joy, but it encapsulated what the final day is all about.
Marsch draws the hosts’ ire
In the 35th minute, Jesse Marsch had a few dozen of the home support out of their seats and shouting at him. The American had wandered 15 yards down the touchline from his technical area.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch's first words on Leeds United's survival, fans' celebrations and Burnley distraction
Marsch was giving instructions to his side ahead of a defensive corner a long way from where he was allowed and it took the fourth official, Robert Jones, some time to call him back to base.
Ayling always in the ear
Even when Luke Ayling is not playing, he is trying to influence whatever he can. As he limped down the tunnel at the half-time break, crutches in hand, he was on to Paul Tierney.
As the captain for long spells of this season, Ayling has certainly built bridges with referees in the division. Tierney was happy to smile and talk with the injured right-back as they went away, but you couldn’t help feeling Ayling was still trying to find some favour for his side from the man in the middle.
Toney minding the gap
Ivan Toney was the Brentford player who had drawn battle lines weeks before kick-off. He dug out the two-year-old tweet of Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper singing.
After a quiet game by his standards, he took the only chance he could to influence the match. He ran from his own frontline to his own box to get into Raphinha’s ear as he placed the ball for his penalty.
Post-match madness
There was all kinds of madness unfolding after the final whistle when United’s fate was sealed, as you might expect. The fact Jack Harrison scored the last goal virtually at the final whistle only added to the craziness.
Initially, the bench emptied onto the pitch even before the final whistle. Archie Gray, Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood all made their way from the dugout to the far corner where the team was celebrating with the away support.
Radrizzani and Victor Orta could be seen hugging everyone from the Leeds delegation within reach at the back of the main stand. Once the final whistle was blown, all hell really broke loose.
Raphinha could be seen first in the crowd, stripped down to his shorts, dancing and celebrating before returning to the pitch. Orta and Radrizzani, who had run across the pitch from the tunnel. Embraced the Brazilian.
The winger then walked on his knees from the Leeds corner to the edge of the opposition penalty box. Brentford fans, waiting for their own end-of-season celebrations, were forced to wait for the Brazilian and the rest of the Leeds team. They were groaning.
Pontus Jansson, with such a link to Leeds and so outspoken before the game about his desire to win the match, could not stop himself from congratulating the Leeds group he knows so well. He hugged Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas.
