Leeds escape the drop as Harrison strike seals final-day win at Brentford

What was all the fuss about? Leeds are staying up, Jessie Marsch mission accomplished. “Leeds are falling apart … again,” came the Brentford taunt. But it proved not to be a premonition. They did it the hard way, the day started with their fate in others’ hands, but a madcap victory against nine-man Brentford secured Leeds’s Premier League status.

Midway through the second half, Raphinha’s penalty meant, with Newcastle two to the good, a three-goal swing was required. And relax? Absolutely not: Burnley halved the deficit and substitute Sergio Canos levelled for Brentford.

Two minutes later, the Spaniard was departing having been shown a pair of quickfire yellow cards. Kristoffer Ajer had previously limped off, and in the dying embers, Jack Harrison sparked mass celebrations in the away corner. Naturally, no one had left: Leeds have become accustomed to stoppage-time winners this season.

And so, Leeds get away with it. Their January transfer inertia bordered on criminal, and they leaked goals for fun. But on Sunday just before 6pm, that mattered little.

Any which way one twists it, Brentford have had an outstanding campaign under Thomas Frank. Their season can be split into three parts. A magical start, a suboptimal middle and then Christian Eriksen.

One should not underestimate his impact. Ten league starts brought seven victories and just a pair of defeats. Whether the fairytale continues remains to be seen, but it was lovely while it lasted.

Pre-match Leeds nerves jangled among travelling supporters and players alike. Dread, fear, excitement, hope all rolled into one stomach churning knot. The team sheet proved no settler.

Patrick Bamford, after an injury-riddled campaign, was out with a bout of Covid. Luke Ayling,