Leeds United U21s will be playing top flight football next season after winning their Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off final 3-0 against Nottingham Forest. It’s been a season to remember for the Whites, who have achieved their ultimate goal of winning promotion back to Division 1 at the first time of asking, following last year’s relegation.
Despite topping the division for much of the season, United were pipped to the only automatic promotion spot last month by Southampton. However, Paco Gallardo’s side have cruised through the play-offs, seeing off Aston Villa and Forest at Elland Road to seal their spot amongst English football’s elite academy sides, with a sizeable crowd in to see the win over the latter.
Leeds were completely dominant from the off against Nottingham, who had seen West Brom off in comfortable fashion to reach the play-off final and Georginio Rutter, in the U21s line-up for the second week running, gave them the lead by scoring his first goal in Leeds colours.
