Leeds United have completed a dramatic final day relegation escape act to secure their place in next season's Premier League.
Jesse Marsch's side began the day in the bottom three on goal difference ahead of their trip to Brentford, knowing that they had to better Burnley's result at home to Newcastle United.
Leeds thought they had taken the lead after 19 minutes when Joe Gelhardt had the ball in the back of the net, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside following a VAR check. A minute later Newcastle took the lead in Burnley, when Callum Wilson slotted home from the penalty spot.
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The scores remained that way a half-time, meaning Leeds were safe, as it stood.
Marsch's side took the lead in west London on 56 minutes when Raphinha scored from the penalty spot. That was followed by a Newcastle second on the hour, as Wilson scored his second.
Burnely pulled a goal back through Maxwel Cornet with 21 minutes to go of what was already a nerve-shredding afternoon. It got worse for Leeds fans on 78 minutes, when Sergio Canos headed the Bees level.
Canos was then sent off, meaning the Bees were down to nine men having used all of their substitutes before Kristoffer Ajer limped off. As the two matches ticked over into injury time, Jack Harrison fired home from outside the area to seal a win for Leeds, just as the final whistle went at Turf Moor.
That means Leeds end the season in 17th place, with Burnley joining Watford and Norwich in the Championship next season. Leeds can now finally prepare for a third campaign back in the top flight.
While the club's final day escape act will bring huge relief to everyone connected to the club, the season will go down as a huge disappointment compared to last year's ninth-place finish.
A host of factors contributed to Leeds' struggles this season, with injuries perhaps the biggest contributing factor. The likes of Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper have all had extended lay-offs, with covid-enforced absences also stretching the squad beyond its limits at times.
Squad size has been an issue, with a lack of new additions both last summer and in January almost costing the team their place among English football's elite.
Marcelo Bielsa was sacked at the end of February following a run of four consecutive defeats, where 17 goals were shipped in, as the club's defensive frailties were painfully exposed. Jesse Marsch was quickly brought in and despite a positive start a five-match winless run before the final day of the season saw the Whites dragged back into the relegation mire.
The club's worst-ever home record and a new Premier League record for the highest number of yellow cards are other black marks on a hugely disappointing season.
Attention will turn to the future of some of Leeds' big names. Barcelona continue to be linked with Raphinha, while the club will be hoping that survival means their chances of fending off Kalvin Phillips' many admirers are strengthened.
Next up for Leeds will be the release of the Premier League fixture list on June 16, ahead of a summer pre-season tour to Australia.
