Leeds United 3-1 West Brom: Hosts end season with fourth straight win

Only Tottenham's Harry Kane, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scored more goals in the 2020-21 Premier League than Patrick Bamford

Leeds United ended their first season back in the Premier League with a fourth successive victory as they comfortably beat relegated West Brom in front of the returning fans at Elland Road.

Able to watch their side at home in the top-flight for the first time in 17 years, 8,000 Leeds supporters created a suitable party atmosphere to celebrate the club's stellar campaign, and Marcelo Bielsa's side produced a fitting finale.

Goals from Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips and substitute Patrick Bamford ensured the hosts end the season ninth, after one defeat in their final 11 games.

Jack Harrison had an early strike ruled out for offside, but Leeds did not have to wait long to celebrate properly when Rodrigo headed in Raphinha's corner after 17 minutes.

England international Phillips doubled the advantage with his first Premier League goal shortly before half-time, beating goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with a curling free-kick that bounced over the keeper's dive.

Phillips injured his shoulder late on, in a reckless challenge on Albion's Grady Diangana, although the severity of the injury was unclear.

Hernandez, who along with Gaetano Berardi said an emotional farewell after starting in his final Leeds appearance, was denied by Johnstone in the second half, while an improved West Brom struck the post through Callum Robinson.

Bamford added his side's third - and his 17th league goal of the season - from the penalty spot with 11 minutes remaining after a handball by Okay Yokuslu, before Hal Robson-Kanu grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

But a disappointing campaign ultimately ended in defeat for the Baggies, who finish 19th and 13 points adrift of safety.

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A fitting end to an excellent season

The first order of business for Leeds this summer must be securing the service of manager Bielsa, as they look to build on a sensational top-flight return.

The Argentine, 65, has masterminded some wonderful performances and results this term - including a win and a draw against champions Manchester City - as Leeds so often enthralled and thrilled.

And they did so once more on Sunday, probing the West Brom defence from the start as they rose to the occasion.

The victory saw Leeds extend their record tally of goals for a promoted club in a 38-game Premier League season to 62.

It also means Bielsa's side have amassed the most points by a promoted side since Ipswich Town in 2000-01.

The manager said he was "not considering alternatives" when asked about his future this week but there will remain some degree of nervousness among fans considering his current one-year deal was signed just 24 hours before the start of this season.

Should Bielsa stay, and Leeds are able to complement an evidently talented squad with further quality this summer, there is no reason to suggest they cannot climb higher next term.

"I have a lot of gratitude for the moments I've been here and I'm very grateful. As soon as [my future is] resolved the club will announce it," Bielsa told BT Sport.

On Phillips' injury, he added: "I couldn't tell you if the injury is severe or not but we hope that he can go to the Euros."

Work to do for West Brom

Unable to commit to West Brom for the long term after failing to save the Baggies from relegation to the Championship, Allardyce confirmed on Wednesday that this would be his final game in charge.

With another immediate return to the Premier League required, former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder appears the standout candidate among those thought to be under consideration for the job.

There is much work to be done if the Baggies are to bounce straight back up, with the club facing the prospect of losing key players such as their top goalscorer Matheus Pereira - a noticeable absentee from the squad after he called in sick on Saturday.

Allardyce's side were much better after half-time as lively substitute Robson-Kanu had three attempts at goal before taking advantage of a poor touch by Phillips with a fine finish.

"I'm glad I came back and I'm disappointed I haven't done what I've done previously. We stopped getting thrashed, then we started getting better but unfortunately not good enough," Allardyce said.

When asked who might replace him, he added: "I've told the club what I think and it's up to them. I haven't spoken to them for the last two or three days as we've been concentrating on the game. I'm not too disappointed in the performance but you can't give away goals like we did today."

Leeds' best top-flight winning run since 2001 - the stats

• Leeds won four in a row in a single Premier League season for the first time since April 2001.

• West Brom lost four league games in a row for the first time since a run of eight consecutive defeats between January and March 2018.

• With West Brom, manager Sam Allardyce registered his worst points per game with any club in the Premier League (0.76) - averaging exactly one goal scored (25 in 25) and two conceded per game (50 in 25) with the Baggies, which are also lows for the manager in the competition.

• Leeds' striker Patrick Bamford scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season, the most by a player for a promoted club in a top-flight campaign since Charlie Austin for QPR in 2014-15 (18).

• Raphinha registered his ninth Premier League assist for Leeds, the first player to do so in a top-flight season for the club since both Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (13) and Harry Kewell (nine) in 1998-99.

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