Leeds 1-0 Brighton: Premier League 2025-26 match report

The final matchday of the 2025-26 Premier League season at Elland Road provided a tense, tactical stalemate that remained unresolved until the final moments of regulation time. In a fixture defined by defensive discipline and a high volume of substitutions, Leeds United secured a 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, courtesy of a last-gasp strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The tactical stalemate

Daniel Farke opted for a 3-5-2 formation, prioritizing width and central congestion to stifle Fabian Hürzeler’s 4-2-3-1 setup. For the majority of the contest, the tactical battle unfolded in the middle third of the pitch, with both sides struggling to find the final ball necessary to break the deadlock. Leeds looked to utilize the pace of Wilfried Gnonto in the early stages, while Brighton sought to feed Georginio Rutter in the pockets of space between the Leeds midfield and defensive line.

As the first half gave way to the second, the intensity remained, but the quality in the final third proved elusive. Both managers recognized the need for fresh impetus as the hour mark approached. Farke initiated a triple substitution in the 60th minute, introducing Brenden Aaronson, Ao Tanaka, and Daniel James in a concerted effort to shift the momentum. Hürzeler responded shortly after, bringing on Joël Veltman and Danny Welbeck to provide a more direct threat in the closing stages. Despite the influx of new personnel, the defensive structures held firm, with neither goalkeeper forced into a significant volume of high-difficulty saves.

The decisive moment

The game appeared destined for a scoreless draw as the match entered the final ten minutes. Brighton continued to rotate their squad, introducing Carlos Baleba and Jack Hinshelwood in the 82nd minute to maintain their defensive integrity. However, the game’s defining sequence arrived in the 90th minute.

As the match moved into the final moments of regulation, Leeds managed to bypass the Brighton press, finding a path through the center. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had been a focal point for the Leeds attack throughout the afternoon, capitalized on the late defensive lapse to break the deadlock. The goal forced Brighton into an immediate, desperate reshuffle, with Yankuba Minteh replacing Solly March in the 93rd minute, but the visitors were unable to mount a meaningful response in the remaining time. The match concluded with a flurry of late-game management, including a yellow card for Calvert-Lewin in the seventh minute of stoppage time, as Leeds held onto their narrow advantage to close out the campaign on a positive note.

Looking ahead

For Leeds United, the victory serves as a resilient end to the 2025-26 season, providing the squad with a momentum-building result to carry into the summer break. Brighton & Hove Albion, meanwhile, will look to analyze the late defensive breakdown as they prepare for the tactical challenges of the upcoming campaign.