Leeds United 1 Albion 0: European push will go to the final day

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury-time goal the difference at Elland Road but Albion stay seventh with a game to go.

Bruce Talbot

2026-05-17T17:10+01:00

A distraught Jan Paul van Hecke after his mistake in stoppage time led to Leeds' winning goal. 📷James Boardman

Albion’s challenge for European football won’t be decided until the final day of the season after a stoppage-time defeat at Elland Road.

Leeds didn’t have a shot on target until the 96th minute when Jan Paul van Hecke didn’t spot Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he tried to find Bart Verbruggen with a pass back from the touchline. Calvert-Lewin nipped in ahead of Verbruggen and rolled the ball into an empty net for his 14th league goal of the season.

Albion only have themselves to blame, having created enough good chances before that sickening late setback to have claimed three points, never mind one.

Substitute Diego Gomez had two great opportunities while Danny Welbeck and Jack Hinshelwood also went close before the late drama.

Carlos Baleba challenges Anton Stach. 📷James Boardman

But Albion will still go into the final day with the fourth top-ten finish in the club’s history guaranteed and a place in Europe up for grabs if they can beat Manchester United at the Amex.

With Kaoru Mitoma out, Joel Veltman returned at right-back and Ferdi Kadioglu pushed further forward in the only change to the team that beat Wolves.

The first half was a story of ‘nearly’ moments but Albion looked much more likely to score.

Carlos Baleba tested Karl Darlow from the edge of the box during a bright start before Dan James cut onto his left foot and his curling effort was deflected wide. Darlow struggled to deal with Pascal Gross’s corner, punching it to Veltman ten yards out but his volley was blocked and Gross was involved again with a shot from the right-hand corner of the box which Darlow pushed out.

Jan Paul van Hecke clears under pressure from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. 📷James Boardman

Lewis Dunk got free in the box but couldn’t direct a header from Maxim De Cuyper’s corner on target before Albion’s best moment came on 44 minutes when Darlow parried a swerving right-foot shot from Gross that was destined for the far corner. Ferdi Kadioglu lofted the loose ball towards van Hecke but at full stretch he could only head up and over the bar.

Verbruggen had to turn the ball over when Veltman’s clearance bounced off Dunk towards goal but it had been a pretty tame first 45.

Welbeck had been quiet before the interval but he went desperately close on 50 minutes with a shot on the turn that was heading for the top corner until Ethan Ampadu got in the way.

The home fans were off their seats when Carlos Baleba lost possession trying to play out. Leeds worked the ball out to substitute Wilfried Gnonto whose powerful shot hit the side netting.

Hurzeler turned to his bench with 25 to go, bringing on Georginio against his former club and Gomez, who should have scored with his first touch. Kadioglu nodded De Cuyper’s deep diagonal into his path but from ten yards Gomez blazed well wide with his right foot.

Yankuba Minteh and Leeds' Dan James at full stretch. 📷James Boardman

Rutter directed a shot wide at full stretch after Gross fired in a right-wing cross before another French substitute - Leeds’ Joel Pirou - clipped an effort from the D fractionally wide of the upright.

Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood both tested Darlow and the Leeds’ keeper was perfectly placed to deny Babis Kostoulas when the substitute met Gross’s free-kick with a firm header.

Albion kept pressing and Jaka Bijol made a crucial block when Gomez attempted to beat Darlow from six yards after Rutter played him in.

Even after van Hecke’s mistake Gomez had another chance but Amapdu made another great block. It summed up an afternoon of acute frustration for Albion.

Albion: Verbruggen, Veltman (Gomez 65), Dunk, van Hecke, Kadioglu, De Cuyper, Gross, Baleba (Kostoulas 82), Minteh (March 90+3), Hinshelwood (Ayari 82), Welbeck (Rutter 65).