Leeds United vs Stoke City. Sky Bet Championship.
Elland RoadAttendance36,644.
Leeds United 6
- J Piroe (6th minute, 8th minute, 20th minute, 41st minute)
- J Firpo (26th minute)
- W Gnonto (59th minute)
Stoke City 0
Leeds 6-0 Stoke City: Daniel Farke's side on brink of Premier League promotion after thumping win
Report and free match highlights as Leeds set up their return to the Premier League; Promotion officially confirmed after Burnley beat Sheffield United
Monday 21 April 2025 22:42, UK
Leeds took care of business with a remarkable 6-0 thumping of Stoke City to underline their Premier League credentials ahead of Sheffield United's defeat at Burnley confirming their return to the top-flight.
Burnley's 2-1 win over the Blades officially sent Leeds up, ending their two-year Championship hiatus, as fans gathered outside Elland Road in their thousands to celebrate the achievement.
Earlier, Leeds had showed their class as they dismantled Stoke with a stunningly dominant performance.
Everything Daniel Farke could have wished for happened. Joel Piroe grabbed four first-half goals, including the club's fastest ever league hat-trick with strikes in the sixth, eighth and 20th minutes.
He added his fourth before the break after Junior Firpo had put Leeds four ahead inside 26 minutes.
The intensity summed up the Farke philosophy. Leeds were as wonderful in attack, looking every bit like a Premier League outfit, as Stoke were woeful in defence.
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The two smallest players on the pitch, Manor Solomon and Wilfried Gnonto, then combined for a headed goal on the hour mark - the irony of which was not lost on Stoke boss Mark Robins, who was visibly furious on the touchline.
The Potters are as good as safe on 50 points but the manner of the defeat will feel no less damaging.
Leeds were ruthless, atoning for last season's shambolic run-in, where they dropped out of the top two before losing to Southampton in the play-off final.
"We played very aggressive," four-goal forward Piroe told Sky Sports as early celebrations erupted around the ground.
"To score three in 22 minutes is amazing. I try to bring the best for the team and knew the goals would come. [Promotion] means everything to us, the fans as well. We can't wait to see what it ends like."
Piroe hits four in first half
The managers
Leeds' Daniel Farke:
"He had this dip, but has worked so hard to get himself out of this situation.
"Even in recent weeks his performances were way better and he created chances, but the ball didn't want to go in the net.
"It's a bit like shaking a bottle of Ketchup when all of a sudden everything comes out.
"That was the case for Joel today. Great game, but not just his goals, his workload, he has several assists - his goal involvements this season is priceless for us.
"He's proven again today why he's such a decisive key player at this level for us."
Stoke's Mark Robins:
"It was a game we didn't take part in. We looked frightened to death. It gives me a lot of food for thought, but it was really disappointing.
"We just weren't at the races and didn't look anything like we have done of late and let everybody down.
"That isn't a performance befitting of any team. Certainly not mine or Stoke City's. We just didn't lay a glove on them."
