Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch credited his players' mentality after they avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season.
A late goal from Jack Harrison sealed a 2-1 win for Leeds at Brentford, confirming the fate of Burnley, who lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle United.
Newcastle's victory meant a point would have been enough for Leeds, who thought they may have to settle for that after Brentford's Sergi Canos had cancelled out Raphinha's penalty.
Brentford were down to 10 men by the time they levelled in the 78th minute, after Kristoffer Ajer went off injured, with Bees boss Thomas Frank having already made all three substitutions, before Canos was sent off shortly after scoring.
Harrison capitalised on the two-man advantage in stoppage time with Leeds' fourth 90th-minute winner in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. Only champions Manchester City (nine) scored more than their eight total goals in the final minute.
"Hot day – not easy for either team," Marsch told Sky Sports. "We got the lead, which was important. I thought the start was really good.
"When we were up two men, we still didn't want to leave it up to fate, we tried to push the winner to secure our fate. This group has been able to dig deep in injury time and find goals and the character is clear, and it's a privilege to work with these guys.
"We talked about how to play in the heat, how to manage the game, how to stay focused for every moment. Weird that we gave up a goal when we went up a man. We tried to update the players on the Burnley score, but the focus on us was most important.
"It's hard to concentrate and be connected for 90 minutes on days like this, but this is typical of our group – they never stop believing, and it's a credit to our mentality."
Discussion around Marsch's work at Elland Road has pitted him against predecessor Marcelo Bielsa, who was hugely popular among Leeds fans.
"It wasn't easy to manage, and I was trying to think of ways to help the group tactically, and to be fair, we have had good performances; it's just trying to put it all together hasn't always looked perfect," the former RB Leipzig coach added.
"The stress has been high for three months. I've tried to stay calm and focus on us, and you see the quality of the mentality and character.
"There's so much been said about Marcelo Bielsa v me, and there's been people counting us out. I get it; this is high-level stuff, and fans pay attention all over the world.
"It's not a perfect representation of what I want this team to be, but in this situation, we came together well, and I still feel strongly about the group we have and the football we can play. We need to get better and add some pieces, but I love this group, team, character, commitment and spirit.
"We were with our fans enough, and I appreciate the fans singing my name, but that's not the important thing. We are Leeds United, and that's what we will always be as long as I am here.
"I love our fans, but I don't care if they sing my name. It's important we are a committed group and show us that every time on the pitch."
On This Day in 2009 – Emmanuel Adebayor fined for celebration against Arsenal
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was fined £25,000 and handed a suspended two-match ban by the Football Association for his celebration against former club Arsenal on this day in 2009.
Adebayor was punished after he ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of visiting Gunners supporters after he scored in the 80th minute of a Premier League match.
The then 25-year-old had already served a three-match suspension for violent conduct in a separate incident during the 4-2 victory at Eastlands on September 12.
https://x.com/ManCity/status/1701543676080783846?s=20
The Togo international appeared at Wembley and admitted a charge of improper conduct at a FA regulatory commission hearing.
Adebayor’s acceptance of his behaviour was taken into account, but also the conduct of Arsenal supporters, who were also criticised for their personal abuse of Adebayor following his departure from the club the previous summer transfer window in a £25million deal.
“In reaching its decision the commission took into account his admission of the charge, public apology and the extremely provocative nature of the abuse he received,” read a statement from the FA.
“However, the commission also stated that players have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a proper manner and that such celebrations are unacceptable and have the potential to cause a serious public order incident.”
Adebayor went on to play for Real Madrid before switching to Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham in August 2012 following a loan spell.
His Premier League career continued with Crystal Palace before stints in Turkey at Basaksehir and Kayserispor, and he finished playing at Paraguayan Primera Division outfit Olimpia Asuncion.
Ali Al-Hamadi’s goalscoring ability was never doubted by Johnnie Jackson
Johnnie Jackson never doubted the goalscoring capabilities of Ali Al-Hamadi, whose impressive hat-trick proved decisive in AFC Wimbledon’s 4-1 win over Tranmere.
The Iraqi international bagged his first career treble, leading the charge as AFC Wimbledon came from behind to pick up their first home win of the Sky Bet League Two season and move into the play-off places.
Prior to Saturday’s contest, Al-Hamadi had found trouble converting his chances and his goal tally for the season sat at just one.
However, Jackson insisted that it was an inevitability that the 21-year-old would find his shooting boots for Wimbledon.
Jackson said: “I always said it was coming, but no one said it more than him.
“No one here was worried about him scoring goals because you’re seeing how well he’s playing, seeing how many chances we’re creating for him as a team, how many he’s creating for himself by his own devilment.
“We knew they’d come for him. It’s ironic how in one week you get one, and then the next week you go and get your hat-trick.
“Delight for Ali, it’ll do him the world of good.”
For Tranmere manager Nigel Adkins, the heroics of Al-Hamadi only brought frustration as his side’s wait for a point on the road this season continues.
Rovers had snatched an early lead through Connor Jennings, but after Armani Little brought AFC Wimbledon level, it all went wrong for the visitors.
Defeat leaves Tranmere in the relegation zone, where they started the day, having won only two of their first 10 games this season.
However, Adkins has nonetheless found encouragement by the start his team made to the game.
He said: “We started both halves really, really well. The first half especially.
“Our intensity, our passing, our movement, our identity, our understanding of what we wanted. For the first 20 minutes, it was spot on.
“And then goals changed the complexion of the game.”
A key moment of the game came eight minutes after the interval, when Josh Turnbull saw red after a rash challenge on Isaac Ogundere.
The challenge was right under the nose of Adkins, who understood referee Daniel Middleton’s decision to dismiss Turnbull.
“It’s a thunderous challenge going in, committed,” Adkins added.
“We want committed challenges going in, but I think in the climate of today, maybe a follow through is just enough [to be a red card].
“It’s a fraction harsh, but the referee had a decision to make and we went down to 10 men.”
Scott Lindsey not taken by surprise as Crawley’s stunning start continues
Crawley boss Scott Lindsey is not surprised his side are up to second in League Two after they beat rock-bottom Sutton 3-0.
After suffering their worst campaign since promotion to the EFL last season, there has been a transformation at the Broadfield Stadium and the Reds are now boasting their best start since coming up in 2011.
An early goal from Adam Campbell sent the hosts on their way and Laurence Maguire and Danilo Orsi added further goals in the second half as Crawley recorded a fourth straight league win.
“We expect good results because of the work we put in,” Lindsey said.
“Within the group, we felt we could do what we’ve done.
“We feel we will always score goals but we do need to be stingier at the back.
“This was our first clean sheet since the opening day and we have spoken about us needing around 20 over the season so we need to do better.
“We know that football can kick you in the teeth.
“So we must remain professional and I will not allow us to get complacent.”
Sutton manager Matt Gray felt the turning point of the game arrived when Crawley added their second goal from a free-kick which he was convinced should have gone the way of his bottom-of-the-table side.
“I’m not happy with that as it was a blatant free-kick to us,” Gray said.
“But we should have taken one of our many chances to go in level or ahead at half-time.”
Sutton, who lost keeper Dean Bouzanis to a hip injury shortly after the break, have now lost eight of their last nine league games, but Gray is convinced results will soon turn.
He added: “Over the last two weeks I’ve been pleased with the performances and I was in parts today.
“A little bit of fortune would be nice. A couple of decisions going for us, and a bit of rub of the green will help turn it.
“I was disappointed with the second goal today, our disallowed goals and the penalty shouts.
“We need to make sure we get that result and we can kick on from there.”
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