(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Mon 18 May 2026 10:00, UK

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Leeds United’s 1-0 victory over Brighton saw them round off their home campaign with a win in the Premier League.

Elland Road has been a fortress for the Whites amid their turnaround in recent months, and Daniel Farke’s side signed off on home turf with a win that extended their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin pounced on a short backpass from the visitors deep into stoppage time to round Bart Verbruggen and score into the gaping goal, as Leeds’ only shot on target in the 90 minutes proved to be decisive.

Farke’s men secured their top-flight with several games to spare, and that will allow them to transition towards the next stage of their project ahead of next season.

However, that means saying goodbye to some members of their squad in the coming months, and Illan Meslier enjoyed an emotional moment after Leeds’ win over Brighton.

Illan Meslier takes Elland Road in for one final time

Meslier has faced his fair share of criticism during his time at Leeds, and much of it has stepped above and beyond the line of what footballers should face during their careers.

Many supporters continually called for him to be axed during the Whites’ time in the Championship, and Farke finally obliged in the closing months of their promotion season last term.

The Frenchman was replaced by Karl Darlow for the crucial stages of his team’s push for the Premier League, and he has since been firmly on the fringes of the first-team group.

Meslier will depart Leeds at the end of the season after seven years in their colours, and despite the heavy criticism that he has faced, it is clear that he still has the club at heart.

Journalist Jonathan Buchan shared a solemn photo of the goalkeeper after the victory over Brighton, as he sat on the penalty spot and took in an empty Elland Road for one final time.

It was clearly an emotional moment for the shot-stopper, and it must mean a lot for him to say goodbye to a place that he has called home for the past seven years.

With that in mind, some Leeds fans owe him an apology for the way that he has been treated at times in recent years, as he clearly always had their club’s best intentions at heart.

Leeds already have new goalkeeper addition in their sights

Football Insider revealed back in February that Leeds will target a new starting goalkeeper this summer, after Darlow has once again ended up as the number one.

Lucas Perri’s move from Lyon simply hasn’t worked out, as he has been usurped by the veteran Welshman as the Whites’ number one in recent months.

Darlow’s efforts are seriously appreciated at Elland Road, but it appears that there is a feeling behind the scenes that they must find a way to upgrade on him if they are to progress in the Premier League.

As a result, the addition of a new goalkeeper is a top priority for the recruitment team, with Farke and Co. determined to build on the promising start that they made back in the top flight this term.