EPL: Calvert-Lewin’s 96th-Minute Strike Downs Brighton at Elland Road

Leeds cap home season with late win over Brighton
 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the 96th minute as Leeds beat Brighton 1-0 at Elland Road.

Brighton’s European push hit by Leeds’ stoppage-time blow...

Leeds United ended their season at Elland Road with a dramatic 1-0 win over Brighton. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the 96th minute to give the Whites a late victory. Leeds earned 32 of their 47 Premier League points at home this season.

With Premier League survival already secured, Leeds wanted to finish their eventful campaign at home on a high. Brighton arrived knowing a win would secure European qualification.

The game started at a fast pace in a lively atmosphere at Elland Road, with both sides creating chances early. Carlos Baleba fired from outside the box but saw his effort saved comfortably by Karl Darlow. Daniel James then curled a shot from distance just wide of the post.

Brighton grew into the game as halftime neared and came close to opening the scoring. Darlow produced a superb diving save to keep out Pascal Gross’ swerving strike.

On the stroke of halftime, Leeds almost took the lead by accident. A scuffed clearance hit Lewis Dunk and looked set to dip under the bar, but Bart Verbruggen reacted quickly to palm it away.

Brighton kept pushing for the opening goal after the restart and had early chances. Danny Welbeck had a shot cleared off the line by a brilliant header from Ethan Ampadu. Brighton’s top scorer this season then headed a corner into the side netting.

The Seagulls have scored more goals from substitutes than any other team in the league this season with 12. That tally should have gone up when Diego Gómez was picked out unmarked in the box by Ferdi Kadioglu, but he blazed his shot high and wide.

Leeds suffered a setback with just over 15 minutes left when Anton Stach was stretchered off injured. After that, the game looked to be fading out as both sides struggled to create clear chances.

🤩 WHAT AN ENDING!! pic.twitter.com/XhyOSmGHDM

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 17, 2026

Just when it looked like the points would be shared, Calvert-Lewin pounced on a poor back-pass from Jan Paul van Hecke. He rounded Bart Verbruggen and rolled the ball into an empty net.

The win, coming from Leeds’ only shot on target, moved Daniel Farke’s side up to 13th. They are now more than 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Brighton will need a result on the final day of the Premier League season if they want to secure European football for next year.