The 2021–22 season was Leeds United's 102nd season in existence and their second consecutive season in the Premier League. In addition to the league, they also competed in the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Review

August

Leeds began their Premier League campaign against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on 14 August 2021, live on BT Sport, losing by a score of 5–1. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 30th minute. After the half-time interval, Luke Ayling levelled the scores, with his first Premier League goal for Leeds. Mason Greenwood then put Manchester United ahead again in the 52nd minute, after Paul Pogba released him down the left wing. Fernandes added Manchester United's third in the 54th minute, after another assist from Pogba, and he completed his hat-trick with Manchester United's fourth goal in the 60th minute after Victor Lindelöf found him with a long ball. Fred then scored Manchester United's fifth goal in the 68th minute after a fourth assist from Pogba, a joint-Premier League record for a single match.

Leeds hosted Everton at Elland Road on 21 August, drawing 2–2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opening the scoring from a penalty after referee Darren England ruled that Liam Cooper had fouled Calvert-Lewin by pulling on his shirt. Mateusz Klich equalised for Leeds following a pass from Patrick Bamford. In the second half, Everton went in front after a Demarai Gray goal, however, Leeds later equalised through Raphinha. Raphinha became the first Leeds player to score in three consecutive matches against Everton since Peter Lorimer.

Leeds' following match was against League One club Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road in the EFL Cup second round on 24 August, winning 3–0. Kalvin Phillips and two from Jack Harrison the goal-scorers.

Leeds travelled to Turf Moor to play Sean Dyche's Burnley on 29 August, drawing 1–1. Burnley opened the scoring after a Matthew Lowton shot fell into former Leeds player Chris Wood's path, allowing him to prod the ball home; however, Leeds equalised through Bamford after a Jamie Shackleton shot fell into his path so he could foot it into the Burnley goal past Nick Pope.

September

Leeds' first match after the first international break of the season saw them host Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool at Elland Road on 12 September, losing 3–0 with Pascal Struijk receiving a red card due to a challenge on Harvey Elliott that resulted in a serious injury.

Leeds travelled to St James' Park on 17 September to face Newcastle United, drawing 1–1. An early Leeds goal from Raphinha was cancelled out by Allan Saint-Maximin before half time; a 2–1 loss at home to West Ham United followed with a 90th-minute goal by Michail Antonio winning it for the visitors on 25 September.

October

Leeds started October with a 1–0 win over Watford at Elland Road on 2 October. Leeds travelled to Southampton on 16 October, losing 1–0. Armando Broja netting the only goal of the match. Wolves visited Elland Road on 23 October, drawing 1–1. A Rodrigo penalty in stoppage time earned a point for Leeds. Leeds travelled to Carrow Road to play Norwich City on 31 October, winning 2–1.

November

Leeds started November with Leicester City visiting Elland Road, drawing 1–1. Leeds' following match was a 2–1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a 0–0 draw at Brighton followed. Leeds' following match against Crystal Palace at Elland Road was 0–0 as Raphinha floated in a corner kick and Liam Cooper’s connecting header was blocked by the hand of Palace defender Marc Guéhi. Raphinha slotted the penalty past Vicente Guaita to win the match for Leeds on 30 November.

December

Leeds started December against Brentford at Elland Road, drawing 2–2. Patrick Bamford scored his second goal of the season in second half stoppage time to earn a point for Leeds. Leeds travelled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on 11 December, losing 3–2. Jorginho scored the winner for Chelsea in the 94th minute from the penalty spot. Leeds' biggest defeat of the season followed at the Etihad Stadium, losing 7–0. Leeds ended December with a 4–1 defeat at home to Arsenal.

January

Leeds started January by ending a drought of four games without a win, when Burnley visited Elland Road on 2 January, winning 3–1. Leeds' travelled to the London Stadium to face West Ham United on 16 January, winning 3–2. Jack Harrison scoring all three. Leeds ended January with a 1–0 defeat against Newcastle United at Elland Road.

February

Leeds started February at Villa Park on 9 February, drawing 3–3. Daniel James scoring a brace for Leeds. Leeds' following match at Goodison Park saw a 3–0 defeat to Everton, defeats to Manchester United 4–2, Liverpool 6–0 and Tottenham Hotspur 4–0. Leeds' 4–0 loss at Elland Road saw Marcelo Bielsa dismissed by the club. His replacement was former RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch.

March

Leeds started March by travelling to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City, losing 1–0. Leeds' following match at Elland Road saw a 3–0 defeat to Aston Villa. Leeds' following match against Norwich City at Elland Road saw Leeds 2–1 winners, following a late goal by Joe Gelhardt. Leeds travelled to Molineux on 18 March to face Wolverhampton Wanderers a second half stoppage time winner from Luke Ayling secured two consecutive victories for Leeds in a 3–2 comeback win.

April

Leeds started April with Southampton at Elland Road drawing 1–1, this was followed by a 3–0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road. Leeds travelled to Crystal Palace on 25 April, drawing 0–0. Manchester City visited Elland Road on 30 April, winning 4–0.

May

Leeds started May by visiting Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, losing 2–1 and hosting Chelsea at Elland Road, losing 3–0.

Leeds' following match against Brighton at Elland Road finished 1–1.

Leeds travelled to the Brentford Community Stadium on the final day of the season to face Brentford, knowing they had to better Burnley's result to avoid relegation. Burnley hosted Newcastle at Turf Moor and fell behind through Callum Wilson. Leeds took the lead against Brentford through a penalty in the 56th minute that Raphinha won and converted, shortly after Newcastle doubled their lead against Burnley.

In the 69th minute, Maxwel Cornet scored for Burnley, while in London a 78th minute Brentford equaliser through a Canós header saw Burnley's hopes come to life again. Canós was the dismissed just two minutes later for a second bookable offence. Leeds' press for the final 10 minutes come to fruition, with Jack Harrison scoring a deflected long-shot in second half stoppage time which secured survival.

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

Loans out

Pre-season

Leeds United announced six pre-season friendly matches, against Guiseley, Blackburn Rovers, Fleetwood Town, Real Betis, Ajax and Villarreal.

Players

Competitions

Premier League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss

FA Cup

Leeds United were drawn away to West Ham United in the third round.

EFL Cup

Leeds United were drawn at home to Crewe Alexandra in the second round, away to Fulham in the third round and away to Arsenal in the fourth round.

Player statistics

As of 22 May 2022

The plus (+) symbol denotes an appearance as a substitute, hence 2+1 indicates two appearances in the starting XI and one appearance as a substitute.

In addition, Jack Jenkins and Academy players Kris Moore, Nohan Kenneh and Archie Gray were unused substitutes included in at least one matchday squad.

Notes

See also

• 2021–22 in English football
• List of Leeds United F.C. seasons

References