DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN showed his Burn-ing desire to make the World Cup as Leeds took a giant leap to Premier League safety.
After the heartbreak of last weekend’s loss to Chelsea in their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years, the Whites bounced back in style against already-relegated Burnley.
Leeds cruised to a 3-1 win against Burnley Credit: PA
With three points they have now all-but secured Premier League safety Credit: Alamy
And Calvert-Lewin’s third goal in six games will have done his England chances no harm as the striker sweats on a squad place for this summer’s finals.
He bagged the third goal after Anton Stach and Noah Okafor strikes helped Leeds move nine points clear of third-bottom Spurs and up to 14th spot above Newcastle.
The Elland Road fans sang manager Daniel Farke’s name after leading a stunning turnaround in the second half of the season, with both his future and the club’s top-flight spot in doubt.
Burnley, having sacked manager Scott Parker on Thursday, suffered a seventh defeat in eight league games as Loum Tchaouna’s first league goal for six months provided little consolation.
With Wales chief Craig Bellamy, Steven Gerrard and Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy managerial targets, Parker’s assistant Mike Jackson was put in charge for the remainder of a campaign that has been simply Bad.
Just one victory in their last 26 league games has ensured an instant return to the Championship.
Leeds were desperate not to join them, having come up with Clarets last season on exactly 100 points, but taking the title on goal difference.
And they plotted the perfect gameplan in the battle for survival, battering the Burnley backline with a positive start and crucial opener.
There seemed little danger in the eighth minute when Jaka Bijol threaded a pass to Stach 25 yards out, but the midfielder turned and thumped a low left-foot strike into the corner where visiting keeper Martin Dubravka had left a gap.
Strangely, it was a first goal for Leeds against Burnley in four meetings.
And, having beaten them 2-0 at Turf Moor back in October, the visitors were looking to complete a first top-flight double over them since 1926-27.
With Gabriel Gudmundsson out with a hamstring injury and Brenden Aaronson dropped to the bench, Stach was back in the starting line-up – along with Joe Rodon – after returning from ankle trouble in the disappointing Wembley loss to Chelsea.
He followed up his goal with a free-kick from similar range, this time with his right foot, that flew over the bar.
And it was Stach again who came close with an effort blocked by Quilindschy Hartman after a scramble in the box.
The pressure was on Jackson’s side but it was no Thriller in a nervy opening half.
Captain Kyle Walker, making his 500th career appearance in English football, had his hands full with the lively Okafor.
But just before the break Tchaouna broke down the right and floated a cross into the box that was met by Jaidon Anthony but struck his own team-mate Zian Flemming.
It was somewhat comical, but no laughing matter for the visitors as two goals in the space of four minutes in the second half put Leeds in command.
The first came in the 52nd minute when a delightful Calvert-Lewin backheel found Jayden Bogle, whose chipped cross picked out Okafor to fire in his sixth goal in as many league games.
And it was a 13th of the campaign for Calvert-Lewin when he prodded in from close range after Dubravka could only push out a low effort from Ao Tanaka.
Burnley showed some late fight and sub Lucas Pires was unlucky to be judged offside by a hand when turning in from close range after Leeds keeper Karl Darlow had got a hand to a Bashir Humphreys drive.
But Tchaouna was not to be denied in the 71st minute when he lashed home after a fine Anthony assist.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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