Typically blunt, the Elland Road crowd sang, on repeat, what most observers were thinking: “We’re f****** sh**..
With relegation confirmed, record signing George Rutter threw his strip into the crowd as a thank you.. and it was thrown back at him. No miracle escape here. Just more disjointed football lacking top flight quality, and the anger of a fan-base ringing in the ears.
“You’re not fit to wear the shirt…” the Yorkshire crowd chorused, as Pedro Porro’s second half strike extinguished any faint hope. At least a pitch invader put up a fight, needing ten stewards to cart him away.
Harry Kane netted his 29th league goal of the season, inside two minutes of the kick off. “That why we’re going down…”
Departing owner Andrea Radrizzani didn’t escape the very public inquest. “Sell the club, and f*** off home…” was the verdict to the Italian businessman who vowed it would be “impossible” for the club to be relegated this campaign. Bitterness and resignation seeped from the terraces.
Despite the comprehensive win it wasn’t a happy day for Spurs either. They suffered their own demotion despite a ruthless performance. They ended with their lowest finish since 2009, and have failed to qualify for Europe for only the second time in 17 seasons.
And where will talisman Kane, about to enter the final year of a six year contract, be playing next season? No medals, no European football. Take him out of this side and they could fall further.
Leeds' Allardyce gamble flopped badly. Three defeats and a draw, the fourth manager in 15 months unable to arrest an alarming decline. From Marcello Bielsa’s high energy identity, to this, via Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Allardyce.
It turns out their £90m transfer gamble on the likes of Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Wilf Gnonto was no protection for Radrizzani. Rutter, a £39m buy in January, looks an odd signing given three managers haven’t trusted him to start. Radrizzani’s bullish words may now be followed by an apology to the fans and a takeover.
And what next for firefighter Allardyce, who now has two relegations on his CV, failing to put out the blaze at West Brom and Leeds. Another Premier League job looks unlikely. He says he knows how to “fix” Leeds in the Championship, but with 49ers Enterprises poised for a buyout, that’s unlikely?
Kane was quick off the mark to condemn Leeds, who needed a win to stand a chance. The Spurs skipper produced another lethal finish, to show Spurs what they will miss if he is sold for £100m this summer.
Despite Leeds playing four centre halves, with the added protection of Robin Koch in midfield, they couldn’t stop Heung-Min Song sliding Kane free to blast past Joel Robles from 16 yards.
Within 90 seconds of the restart, Leed’s fate was confirmed. Pedro Porro slammed home from the right, after a mistake by Pascal Struijk.
Jack Harrison, one Leeds man who will likely still be a top flight player next season, netted a consolation after 67 minutes, beating Ben Davies. Big Sam roared: Come on….!”
But two minutes later, with just two men back defending, Kane netted Spurs’ third and his 30th of the season.
Then sub Lucas Moura conjured a wondergoal. With his last kick in a Spurs shirt he dribbled 40 yards past four players and chipped over Joel Robles.
