English Premier League kicks off with thrilling action: Weekend 1 overview
With new players, coaches and newly appointed captains from respective clubs, let’s analyse the matches that happened this opening English Premier League weekend.
One of the biggest English clubs of the last decade, Leeds United, have been promoted to the English Premier League after a gap of 16 years. The west Yorkshire club was guaranteed an automatic promotion after West Bromwich Albion’s lost 1-2 at Huddersfield in the EFL Championship on Friday.
Albion’s defeat ensured that Leeds would finish the Championship season as one of the top two. Huddersfield’s victory has also given Brentford a hope to play Premier League next season. If they win their next two games, they will be in English top-flight for the first time in 73 years.
A narrow 1-0 win over Barnsley at Elland Road through Michael Sollbauer’s goal had taken Leeds on the verge of promotion on Thursday.
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Meanwhile, social media has already erupted with the club’s folklore and their rich history. Their promotion also signals a resurrection of the age-old Leeds versus Manchester United and Leeds versus Chelsea rivalries.
Leeds’ Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, who is their 15th manager in the 16 years that they have been out of English top-flight, has already earned an iconic status after he put the Whites back in the football map of the country.
In his first year as Leeds boss, the 64-year-old had taken the team on the brink of promotion in the 2018-19 season before they crumbled under pressure in the last few games. Thus, the promotion this season became more special for the fans.
Despite warning from the owner Andrea Radrizzani, Leeds supporters thronged outside the stadium to celebrate, reminding many why Leeds were one of the most followed clubs in England.
Even though they have been underperforming in the last few years and were once relegated to third division as well, the legion of hardcore Leeds fans have always filled the 35,000+ seats of Elland Road Stadium during their team’s home games.
Champions of England in 1969, 1974 and in 1992, Leeds United will be hoping to reconstruct their presence in English top-flight like old times.
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