Leeds United is very close to securing promotion to the Premier League after a resounding 6-0 victory over Stoke City at Elland Road.
Leeds established a significant lead early in the game, scoring FIVE goals in the first half. This result puts pressure on second-place Burnley as they face Sheffield United, another team vying for promotion, later today.
If Sheffield United does not win against Burnley, Leeds will secure promotion this Easter Monday, with two Championship matches still to be played.
Joel Piroe initiated his team`s promotion celebrations with an astonishing FOUR-GOAL performance in the first half.
The Dutch player spectacularly ended a nine-game goal drought as the high-performing Whites enjoyed a dominant victory against Stoke, moving closer to returning to the Premier League.
Piroe achieved a 20-minute hat-trick, the fastest in the club`s history, before scoring his fifth goal before halftime, following Junior Firpo`s fourth goal of the season.
Willy Gnonto extended the lead to six goals in the second half. Even if Sheffield United defeats Burnley in their match, Leeds will confirm a top-tier spot by earning just one point from their remaining two games against Bristol City and Plymouth.
This victory also brought Leeds` season goal tally to 89, surpassing the club record of 84 goals set by Don Revie’s legendary team in 1969-70.
Stoke, who are 17th in the league and just four points above the relegation zone, collapsed under Leeds` stylish play, as the latter aims to return to the top league after a two-year absence.
Ironically, it was against a team managed by Mark Robins last April that Leeds` promotion push began to falter.
A 2-1 defeat to Coventry was among four losses in a disastrous six-game stretch, which resulted in them narrowly missing out on automatic promotion and eventually losing in the play-off final.
If there were any concerns about another late-season collapse for Leeds, they were dispelled within eight remarkable minutes as Stoke, managed by Robins, crumbled under the home team`s relentless pressure.
Like powerful bulls, Leeds were unstoppable, overwhelming their opponents with intensity and capitalizing on a series of defensive errors.
For the opening goal in the sixth minute, Stoke made three unforced errors in the buildup, and they were severely punished.
Gnonto passed to Manor Solomon, who then found Piroe to score the first goal.
There was relief and joy, not only for the forward ending his scoring drought but also for the enthusiastic fans at Elland Road.
“No Piroe, no party,” they chanted, and his long-awaited goal in ten games calmed nerves and set the celebratory tone.
Just two minutes later, Stoke`s Bae Jun-ho lost possession on the left flank, and Jayden Bogle surged forward, setting up Piroe to calmly slot in his second goal.
After his recent struggles and calls for Patrick Bamford to replace him in the starting lineup, the Dutch striker demonstrated his quality and composure, justifying Farke`s confidence in him.
Piroe transformed into a clinical finisher, securing his first senior career hat-trick in the 20th minute.
The energetic Gnonto once again troubled the Stoke defense, and when his low shot was parried by Viktor Johansson, Piroe was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound from close range.
Leeds showed no mercy to their overwhelmed opponents. Bogle delivered a cross in the 26th minute, which was deflected into the net by Firpo`s leg.
Despite Leeds` outstanding team performance, the first half was dominated by Piroe, who scored his fourth goal four minutes before halftime.
Bogle`s powerful run into the box and shot against the post resulted in a rebound that Piroe converted, despite Brenden Aaronson`s attempt to clear it off the line.
The last Leeds player to score five goals in a match was in 1938, when they beat Leicester City 8-2. However, Piroe did not match Gordon Hodgson`s club record as he was substituted in the 66th minute, receiving a warm hug from manager Farke as he was replaced by Bamford.
By this point, Leeds had already scored their impressive sixth goal.
After Stoke`s goalkeeper Johansson saved a shot from Solomon, the Tottenham loanee then assisted Gnonto in the 59th minute with a superb whipped cross, which the unmarked Italian headed into the net.
The match also marked a historical moment as Harry Gray, the younger brother of Tottenham`s Archie Gray, made his debut at just 16 years old.
The midfielder continues the Gray family legacy at the club, as his great-uncle Eddie Gray, a Leeds icon, watched from the stands, visibly moved by the occasion.
Those tears of emotion soon turned to cheers as Eddie and all Leeds fans celebrated this brilliant victory, bringing them closer to returning to the Premier League.
