Leeds one point away from Premier League promotion thanks to Barnsley own goal

There will be no victory parade, hopefully no street parties and sadly no joyous celebrations in front of their ecstatic supporters, but Leeds United are so close to toasting promotion they can feel the Champagne bubbles on the tip of their nose.

They deserve it, as much for their resilience as their quality. The pressure on the shoulders of these young men has been intense all season but they have taken the load and kept marching on together.

That is not something that should be skimmed over. There have been some tough times, some really difficult moments in the season, when those outside waited for them to falter and so many wanted them to collapse again. This moment was one of them.

This group have carried on regardless. Every setback has been met with defiance, not fear. Leeds have been brave, as well as excellent. That is what this team should be remembered for when the celebrations do take place.

When you know so many before you tripped, fell and ate dirt down the finishing straight, when you are reminded all the time about the failures, the end of season implosions – including your own last season – it takes a special kind of fortitude to cope at a club like Leeds.

This was not a vintage performance, more Cava than Champagne, but it was good enough and when you’ve waited 16 years, that is all that matters.

“The win was a product of the collective effort,” said Bielsa. “We had to run a lot to keep the result. Until we are promoted, mathematically, I will not talk about being in the Premier League, it is not convenient to do that."

Leeds’ players looked exhausted, understandable given the style of football and the fact they are playing three games a week with largely the same starting XI.

They also looked confused, Marcelo Bielsa starting with four at the back, then switching to three with Ben White as a holding midfielder, then back to four. White spent almost as much time looking over at the dugout as he did at Barnsley’s attacking threats in the first half.

The football stuttered and spluttered and Barnsley had come to play, not sit back. The visitors have a relegation battle to try and win.

Leeds thrashed Stoke City 5-0 a week ago with some scintillating play. This was more functional, hard work, tough and nervous.

Bielsa and his coaching staff looked and sounded agitated and Barnsley should have taken the lead, Jacob Brown pulling a shot wide, Mads Andersen missing with a diving header.

Seconds later, Leeds had the goal that settled them down, when Patrick Bamford sent in Mateusz Klich’s pass. His first pull back was blocked by Andersen, but he did not give up, keeping the ball in play, his second attempt turned into his own goal by Michael Sollbauer. Reward for persistence. It felt apt.

Barnsley, though, were not going to roll over. They were the better side at the start of the second half as they had been in the first, Callum Styles going close, Sollbauer's header saved by Illan Meslier.

Leeds really did look drained now, unable to press quickly enough, as mistakes crept in. They were playing on the counter, no longer dominating. A second goal was needed and Bamford had a great chance, kept out by Walton. He should have scored.

Chance missed, tension rising. Barnsley smelt blood, tasted it, Meslier making a good save to tip over Cauley Woodrow’s shot on the turn.

Bielsa looked like a man going through some sort of mental torture on the sideline. Nails were being gnawed in the director’s box, as they were in every living room or pub where Leeds fans watched on television.

Football really is painful to watch sometimes. It hurts. Leeds know that better than most… but this time relief came. No more near misses, no more hard luck stories. The pain is almost over. They need one more point to be certain, but Leeds are heading back to the Premier League.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1)

Meslier 7; Ayling 6, White 7, Cooper 9,  Dallas 7; Klich 6, Berardi 6, Costa 6 (Alioski 49), Roberts 6 (Herndandez 46), Harrison 6 (Struijk 61); Bamford 7

Subs: Casilla, Poveda, Shackelton, Stevens, Casey

Barnsley (4-1-2-1-2)

Walton 6, Williams 7, Sollbauer 7, Andersen 7, Ludewig 7; Halme 5 (Thomas 46) Styles 5, Chaplin 6; Woodrow 6; Brown 6 (Schmidt 78), Mowatt 6.

Subs not used: Williams, Bahre, Ritzmaier, Oduor, Wolfe, Marsh, Collins.