Leeds United's Raphinha, right, celebrates with teammate Jack Harrison after scoring their side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Leeds survived in the Premier League for another season after Jack Harrison's injury-time goal sealed a tense 2-1 win over nine-man Brentford on Sunday, with Burnley relegated instead.
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch and his team had a first-half goal by Joe Gelhardt ruled out for a narrow offside on video review but finally took the lead when Raphinha scored from the penalty spot in the 56th.
That followed a mistake from Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, who carelessly played the ball out to Raphinha and then brought him down with a desperate tackle.
Sergi Canos headed Brentford level in the 78th only to dent his team's chances with a sending-off for two yellow cards in quick succession soon after. He was booked for taking his shirt off for celebrating the goal and then was shown a second yellow card and dismissed for a foul on Raphinha.
Brentford had to finish the game with nine players because Kristoffer Ajer had already been forced off through injury after manager Thomas Frank had used all of his substitutions.
Leeds was able to capitalize on the numerical advantage in stoppage time as Harrison's drive from distance was deflected in to ensure survival.
Leeds could still have been relegated if Burnley had matched its result with a win at home to Newcastle, but Burnley lost the game 2-1.
'œI believed that we were going to do this,'ť Marsch said. 'œThere wasn't one day I didn't believe and that's why I never talked about being in the (second-tier) Championship."
The American added: 'œFor me this business is about belief, and about exuding it as a leader, and the other part that I had as an advantage was the group of players that we have."
Raphinha was among Leeds players who celebrated in the stands with the traveling fans who endured a nailbiting finish to a season which had few of the highs of last year's run to ninth place under then-manager Marcelo Bielsa. Marsch arrived in February after Leeds' form plummeted in its last few games with Bielsa and his all-action style.
'œI don't want them to chant my name, I want them to chant who we are, 'ť Marsch said. 'œThis is not about any one person and it's certainly not about me.
Brentford finished its first top-division season since 1947 in 13th place after a strong campaign for the West London club. The campaign was notable for giving Christian Eriksen a fresh start in club soccer after the midfielder collapsed while playing for Denmark at the European Championship last year.
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Leeds United's Raphinha scores their side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Leeds United's Raphinha is fouled by Brentford goalkeeper David Raya Martin, resulting in a penalty, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, left, looks on as Brentford's Sergi Canos scores, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Leeds United's Sam Greenwood, left and Brentford's Christian Eriksen battle for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips, foreground and Brentford's Christian Eriksen battle for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Brentford's Christian Eriksen looks on, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
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Brentford's Christian Eriksen applauds the fans during a lap on honour after the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
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Leeds United's Raphinha celebrates survival in the stands with fans, after the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Leeds United's Junior Firpo celebrates with fans in the stands after the English Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Leeds United, at the Brentford Community Stadium, in London, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (John Walton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press