Leeds United top the Championship after victory over Oxford United
Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship after a win over Oxford United away at The Kassam Stadium, while both Burnley and Sheffield United also won their games earlier on Friday.
A goal by Manor Solomon in the first half secured Leeds first place on goal difference ahead of Burnley, with only three games left to play. Sheffield United are five points behind in third place.
Read: English journalist enchanted by Bodø/Glimt – “One of the greatest stories in modern football!”
Leeds now face Stoke City at Elland Road on Easter Monday. A win there, combined with Sheffield United not winning against Burnley later that day, will be enough to secure promotion to the Premier League.
In any case, five points from the last three games will be enough, regardless of other results.
Oxford were relegated one place to 19th, but are still five points above the relegation zone. However, they still have work to do to secure their place in the Championship for next season.
Read on Popidol: Norwegian hip hop group in Britain’s Got Talent 2025
Championship update:
- Leeds take the lead thanks to Solomon’s goal against Oxford
- Burnley beat Watford and close in on promotion
- Sheffield United crush Cardiff and keep top-2 hopes alive
Burnley’s win over Watford and Sheffield United’s win against Cardiff City increased the pressure on Leeds ahead of their game.
Two successive wins against Middlesbrough and Preston North End have calmed nerves after a shaky spell of just one win in six games – reminiscent of the collapse at the same time last season, when they lost the play-off final at Wembley.
A week ago, Daniel Farke got his 100th game on the sidelines for Leeds.
Battle
In their first league away game against Oxford since March 1990 – a season that ended with promotion to the top division under Howard Wilkinson – Daniel Farke’s men faced an organised home side. Cameron Brannagan tested Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow early on with a shot from 20 yards.
Leeds took control when Jamie Cumming made a good save after a run from Brenden Aaronson, and Ben Nelson averted a sure goal with a brilliant save on Willy Gnonto.
But Leeds’ winning goal in the 33rd minute was an example of the precision they have shown all season. Joe Rodon’s perfect pass sent Jayden Bogle free, and the right-back found Solomon at the back post, who steered it into the net.
This was the ninth goal for the Israeli winger on loan from Tottenham Hotspur this season, and his 12th assist in the Championship in 2025 (6 goals, 6 assists).
Bogle missed a good chance to secure the win early in the second half, and Japan’s Ao Tanaka was unlucky when he hit the post on a long-range shot late in the game.
Without the comfortable lead, Leeds had to deal with a series of long throw-ins in their own box while Oxford chased the equaliser. It never came, thanks to a solid defensive effort – especially from Joe Rodon.
Stats that impress
This win brings Leeds’ points total under Farke to an impressive 181 points from 89 games, and their current 91 points are already better than the whole of last season (90 points) – with three games to go.
With 83 goals this season, Leeds have scored 20 goals more than any other team in the Championship, and this was their 23rd clean sheet – underlining how well balanced Farke’s team is.
Now all that remains is to keep their nerves in check and secure promotion, after two years out of the Premier League.
Post-match reactions
Gary Rowett, Oxford United manager:
“They’re fantastic in the attacking third and if you let your concentration go for a moment, they react a bit quicker with more speed. We fought in the first half, but stayed in the game. We knew we couldn’t chase too early. In the second half we were more aggressive and gave Leeds problems in the last 20 minutes. We cannot let disappointment linger in us – we are proud of the effort and must ensure that we come back strong on Monday.”
Daniel Farke, Leeds United manager:
“This was a very difficult game, so I’m really happy. Oxford is a good team. We had a lot of control, but Gary’s teams are always well organized. When you don’t score the second goal, you have to show steel control and defensive strength – and we did that today in a top-class way. Such clean sheet wins are the best, especially now in the season.”
