By the time Dominic Calvert-Lewin tucked away his stoppage-time penalty, Leeds United were playing with the swagger of a team that knows it will be in the Premier League for a little while longer. Wolves shuffled around like one that’s long accepted it won’t be.
A convincing defeat at Elland Road moved Wolves on to the trapdoor. Victory for Tottenham against Bournemouth this evening will finally pull the lever.
For Leeds, it was another step closer to a survival they thoroughly deserve. ‘Leeds are falling apart again,’ sang the home fans as the final whistle blew, full of belief that there’s not a chance it will happen this time.
THE NEW RAPHINHA?
After a little celebratory jig, Noah Okafor crossed his arms and nodded a knowing nod. He’d done it again. Just five days after his brace against Manchester United secured a first league win at Old Trafford for Leeds in 45 years, he’d found the net once more.
Not since Brazilian winger Raphinha, who joined Barcelona for £55million four years ago, have Leeds had a player with this much star quality.
Whenever Okafor knocked the ball out of his feet, the raucous Leeds support stopped whatever chant they were midway through so they could sit up and draw breath.
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 barely even finished their kick-off song when Okafor broke through 30 seconds into the game and slide a ball across to Calvert-Lewin who saw his effort saved by Dan Bentley in the Wolves goal.
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.
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 gave Leeds the lead, 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.
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.
Rob Edwards’ Wolves gave their opponents some gifts in the one-sided defeat on the road
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…
Even exciting teenager Mateus Mane, thrust off the bench before half-time, inspired little. After he burst on to the scene in thrilling fashion earlier in the season, the 18-year-old has dropped off too.
At least a tepid end to his campaign may leave any potential suitors looking the other way come the summer and allow him to spearhead Wolves’ next promotion push.
WATCH OUT, CHELSEA
Leeds are not a team playing like it’s in a relegation battle. There’s a verve and a confidence about Daniel Farke’s men now, who move the ball quickly with purpose with 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 Wembley next Sunday and the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Within three minutes of the first whistle, the crowd was singing of Wembley.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a penalty late in the game to put added gloss on the scoreline
This was a club so at ease with its performance and standing that they could enjoy the sight of the assistant referee pulling up with a calf injury and having to be replaced.
‘Also leaving the field…THE LINESMAN!’ roared the stadium announcer as the home crowd sing: ‘You’re not fit to run the line’.
The win here set up a nine-point gap to Tottenham before Spurs had kicked a ball. 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.
