A huge boost for Leeds United’s relegation rivals has changed the survival battle picture.
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Leeds United’s relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur have given themselves a huge boost in their quest to stay up, leading to a massive change in the survival battle picture.
Leeds kicked nine points clear of third-bottom Tottenham with Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley but with Spurs having four games left as opposed to United’s three.
Tottenham began the weekend still sat in the division’s relegation zone despite last weekend’s 1-0 win at Wolves as fourth-bottom West Ham also recorded a 2-1 triumph at home to Everton.
As well as kicking nine points clear of Tottenham, Friday night’s win against Burnley also sent Leeds seven points clear of West Ham who then travelled to Brentford on Saturday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off.
The Hammers, though, suffered a 3-0 defeat which offered Spurs the chance to move out of the drop zone in Sunday evening’s clash at Aston Villa and Tottenham took the opportunity with both hands in recording a 2-1 success.
‘Completely overrun by Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors’
Ahead of Thursday evening’s Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Nottingham Forest, boss Unai Emery made seven changes to his side who produced an absolute no show in the first half as they were completely overrun by Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors.
A stunning Conor Gallagher strike from the edge of the box fired Spurs ahead with 12 minutes on the clock and Richarlison headed home a Mathys Tel cross 13 minutes later to double the Tottenham lead.
Joao Palhinha had earlier hit the post for a side whose ferocious press all around the pitch was clear, especially compared to the efforts of Villa.
The hosts were loudly booed off at the interval amid looks of disbelief and bemusement from their supporters.
Emery opted against making changes at the interval but Villa still offered next to nothing.
The Villa boss finally made a change on the hour mark as Ollie Watkins was brought on to replace Tammy Abraham.
Villa finally started to improve and De Zerbi then made a double change as Randal Kolo Muani and Rodrigo Bentancur were replaced by Yves Bissouma and Bentancur.
Bentancur had earlier taken a knock in the first half.
Kolo Muani, meanwhile, high fived the entire front row of Tottenham’s travelling fans as he made his way around the pitch with well over minutes still remaining.
Morgan Rogers’ evening was then summed up as he was booked, Emery making two more changes in the 82nd minute as Jadon Sancho and Ross Barkley were replaced by Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey.
Another possible injury blow
Villa finally went close in the 89th minute as Tyrone Mings headed just wide from a corner but Spurs had looked destined for victory from a very early stage although the team suffered another possible injury blow as Richarlison left the pitch gingerly when coming off in the closing stages.
Villa then pulled a goal back in the 96th minute as Buendia flicked home a neat header but the damage had been done in a massive boost for Tottenham and particularly huge blow for West Ham.
The victory has created the huge change of leaving Tottenham’s survival destiny back in their own hands at the expense of West Ham who are now third-bottom, one point behind Spurs, three points behind Nottingham Forest and seven behind both Leeds and Crystal Palace.
Spurs are now six points behind Leeds who they play next Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Leeds, though, might well be mathematically safe by then, West Ham facing a huge task in their next game next Sunday afternoon at home to title-chasing Arsenal.
A victory for the Gunners would leave Leeds seven points ahead of West Ham who would have just two games left and make the Whites mathematically safe.
Considering West Ham’s minus 19 goal difference, even a draw would realistically leave Leeds safe as the Irons would be required to win both of their remaining games against Newcastle and Leeds whilst making up 14 goals on the goal difference front.