Leeds beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, a result that, combined with their midweek win at Manchester United, has moved them to the verge of Premier League survival. According to the Guardian, the victory lifted the club to what the paper describes as the "virtual sanctuary" of 39 points, six clear of the relegation zone with six matches to play.
The context for Saturday's result was set earlier in the week. As the Guardian first reported, Leeds claimed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Monday — their first league victory on that ground since 1981 — to begin this run of form in earnest. The manager has guided the club from genuine relegation contenders to a position where they now stand to influence who goes down rather than simply worrying about their own fate.
What makes the coming weeks particularly notable is the fixture list awaiting them. According to the Guardian's Louise Taylor, four of Leeds' remaining six matches are against sides currently in the bottom four. Burnley are still to visit West Yorkshire, while Leeds also face away days at Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, the latter on the final day of the season. The club are also through to the FA Cup semi-finals, adding further weight to an already congested schedule.
Elsewhere on a significant weekend in the EFL, Newcastle suffered another home defeat, losing 1-2 to Bournemouth, while Cardiff and Bromley secured promotion in their respective divisions. The breadth of movement across the leagues underlined just how consequential this late stretch of the season is becoming.
For Leeds, the work is not finished. The mathematics are moving in their favour, but the fixtures demand continued focus. How they perform against the other struggling sides will likely determine not only their own standing come May, but the final shape of the division below.