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Leeds take big step to Premier League promotion, Barca go top; Alcaraz through

Leeds take big step to Premier League promotion, Barca go top; Alcaraz through

Published: 8:30am, 18 Feb 2025
Leeds United took a huge step towards a return to the English Premier League after Pascal Struijk's dramatic 95th-minute winner defeated Championship-promotion rivals Sunderland 2-1 at Elland Road.
Dutch defender Struijk was the unlikely hero with both Leeds goals despite only playing the final 20 minutes as a substitute.
Wilson Isidor had fired Sunderland in front with his 12th goal of the season before half-time.
But the Black Cats' chances of automatic promotion are beginning to fade as Leeds and Sheffield United pull away at the top of the table.
Struijk began the fightback when he headed in fellow substitute Joe Rothwell's enticing free-kick on 78 minutes.
The same duo combined for the winner as another dangerous cross from Rothwell left the centre-back with an easy finish to head into an unguarded net with the final act of the game.

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