When Dominic Calvert-Lewin confidently converted his penalty in the dying moments, Leeds United strutted with the assurance of a squad secure in its Premier League future. In stark contrast, Wolves meandered about, resigned to their fate.
The emphatic loss at Elland Road edged Wolves closer to relegation. Should Tottenham triumph over Brighton this evening, it will seal their fate.
For Leeds, this marked another leap towards a well-earned survival. As the final whistle echoed, the home supporters chanted, “Leeds are falling apart again,” but this time with a conviction that their team won’t falter.
THE NEW RAPHINHA?
Not since the days of Brazilian star Raphinha, who made a £55 million move to Barcelona four years ago, have Leeds boasted a player of such brilliance.
Every time Okafor unleashed the ball, the boisterous Leeds fans paused their chants, taking a moment to watch in anticipation.
Noah Okafor has the most quality of any Leeds signing since Raphinha and was again superb on Saturday, scoring (above) in the 3-0 victory over Wolves at Elland Road
They had scarcely begun their opening anthem when Okafor burst forward just 30 seconds into the match, delivering a cross to Calvert-Lewin, whose shot was impressively blocked by Dan Bentley guarding the Wolves’ net.
The £18m summer signing from AC Milan drew further roars when he did countless stepovers outside the Wolves box, even if it ended in him losing possession.
There was no mistake, though, when he latched on to the end of Brendan Aaronson’s cross and slotted the ball into the net.
When he made way after the hour, Elland Rose to its feet to salute its newest star.
‘I am delighted for him because he has had difficult years and he has proven his worth with a great attitude,’ said Leeds boss Daniel Farke. ‘Long may it continue.’
WOLVES KNOW THEIR FATE
For as improved as Wolves have been under Rob Edwards, this is still a group of players that has long known its fate and was playing like it.
They looked good in the first half against West Ham last time out but capitulated as soon as the first goal went in. They did the same here, though Leeds were nowhere near as generous in allowing them any sort of bright start.
Just two minutes after James Justin’s bicycle kick put Leeds in front, Andre miscontrolled the ball, captain Toti passed it straight to Brendon Aaronson and Leeds broke away to score. It summed Wolves up, not just this afternoon but their entire plight.
‘It was not a terrible performance but the scoreline looks bad,’ said Edwards. ‘We have shot ourselves in the foot again. We are where we are because too many individual mistakes get punished at this level.
Rob Edwards’ Wolves gave their opponents some gifts in the one-sided defeat on the road
‘I completely understand the fans frustration. They should be angry. I am as angry as they are. It’s been a long time coming.’
When you don’t create much, you cannot gift goals like that even if you can look solid enough for large spells. You cannot give away late penalties like Hugo Bueno did when he shoved Calvert-Lewin in the back. And you cannot spurn your opportunities when they do arrive.
Rodrigo Gomes dragged his shot well wide. Adam Armstrong had ball in net late on but timed his run a little too late. Ladislav Krejci went closest with a fine header but was denied by a stunning one-arm save by Karl Darlow. When it’s not you’re season…
WATCH OUT, CHELSEA
Leeds are not a team playing like it’s in a relegation battle. There’s a verve and a confidence about Farke’s men now, who move the ball quickly with purpose through Okafor and Aaronson flying down the wings. Not once did it feel like this is a team looking over its shoulder.
In fact the chatter among a group of supporters making their way to their seats before kick-off was not about Tottenham or Nottingham Forest or West Ham, not even the trip to Bournemouth on Wednesday night, but of the FA Cup and a semi-final against Chelsea. Within three minutes of the first whistle, the crowd was singing of Wembley.
This was a club so at ease with its performance and standing that they could enjoy the sight of assistant referee Mat Wilkes pulling up with a calf injury and having to be replaced.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a penalty late in the game to put added gloss on the scoreline
‘Also leaving the field…THE LINESMAN!’ roared the stadium announcer as the home crowd sang: ‘You’re not fit to run the line’.
The win here set up a nine-point gap before Tottenham had kicked a ball. No team has gone down with 39 points at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
Keep playing like this and survival will take care of itself. Keep playing like this and so, too, might the FA Cup semi-final. This is a team that will cause a shaky Chelsea no end of problems.
