Leeds 3 Wolves 0: Farke's dream week, Okafor on fire and Justin's acrobatic opener

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsArteta Can Handle the PressureCherki the EntertainerThe Injury Footballers Fear MostA North London Walk of WoeLeeds United 3 Wolves 0: Farke’s dream week, Okafor on fire, and Justin’s acrobatic openerDominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates after scoring from the spot to complete Leeds' win over Wolves Darren Staples/Getty Images Share article6What a week for Daniel Farke and Leeds United. Off the back of Monday’s historic win away to Manchester United, they swept aside doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers to take a giant stride towards Premier League safety. The victory takes Leeds up to 39 points and will surely leave Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in the fight for survival. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on his 300th league appearance, should have scored in the opening exchanges as Leeds flew out of the traps. The home fans only had 18 minutes to wait for a goal, though, when James Justin acrobatically finished from close range after Ethan Ampadu had been denied by Dan Bentley. It was two within two minutes. Brenden Aaronson’s fine pass found Noah Okafor and he finished as well as he did for his double at Old Trafford. Wolves should have reduced the deficit in the second period when Rodrigo Gomes found the sidenetting when he should have done better. The most entertainment came in the final 10 minutes as fourth official Lewis Smith was forced into action — replacing injured assistant Mat Wilkes. Even Elland Road announcer Leigh Nicholson got in on the fun when Ilia Gruev was replacing Aaronson. He said, “And also coming off… is the linesman, to be replaced by the fourth official Lewis Smith.” It summed up the mood, which only got happier once Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot in the fifth minute of added time after Wilfried Gnonto had been fouled by Hugo Bueno. Beren Cross analyses the action from Elland Road. Joe Rodon’s return to Leeds’ matchday squad was the big pre-match boost at Elland Road. The centre-back had limped away from the FA Cup win at West Ham United 13 days earlier and had, initially, been ruled out until May by Farke. A teasing door was left ajar in Thursday’s press conference by the manager, who said there was still time for a surprise in the squad on Saturday. That Rodon was not then needed in the starting line-up speaks to the emergence of Justin. Farke had the luxury of leaving Rodon, who has played more Premier League minutes than all but Ampadu for Leeds this season, on the bench. Justin, recruited as a reserve full-back for an initial £8million ($11m) from Leicester City last summer, has surpassed all expectations in every position across the back five. Whether it’s been at wing-back or as a centre-back, Justin has made a debate of who Farke starts in his defensive line when they are all fit. He even, it turns out, converts bicycle kicks in the opposition area. His goal eased some of the anxiety on the terraces and there was the typically composed defensive play, too. Only six minutes after scoring, Adam Armstrong was released over the top. He is quick, but Justin was able to race back, get on terms, and then put in a perfect, diving header to steer the ball out to safety. Justin has started all 15 of United’s league games since New Year’s Day. Rodon will want a run-out in midweek before the FA Cup semi-final, but there’s no guarantee it will be Justin missing out. Wolves should have known Okafor was going to score. The Switzerland forward has been a streaky player for Leeds. His first goal for the club came against Wolves, from a similar position at Molineux, in September. Only two weeks later, Okafor’s second came in a home defeat to Tottenham. He would have to wait until February for his third Leeds goal, during the home win over Forest. A fourth would arrive just four days later in the creditable draw away to Chelsea. Then we had Monday’s double at Old Trafford, where Okafor secured his place in Elland Road folklore, regardless of what else he does in West Yorkshire. Sure enough, he scored again, only five days later. Okafor’s a confidence player, like many attackers. Injuries have killed his momentum this season and he has not started more than four matches in a row. Leeds will hope this week’s batch of goals ensures they have an in-form and confident speedster for their massive matches ahead. His pace and endeavour were a weapon throughout against Wolves — he created chances, alongside the one he finished for himself, at full tilt in the first half. The second half was a very tough watch. Neither side created anything especially dangerous until the hosts got their late penalty. It was a nervous watch for a Leeds fanbase still so deeply scarred by the way West Ham United pulled back a 2-0 deficit in the FA Cup quarter-final. Ultimately, Wolves were nowhere near good enough to make the most of any openings the hosts gave them. The damage was done in the first half, with the finishing touch at the death from Calvert-Lewin. The win puts Leeds nine points clear of Tottenham in 18th before their match against Brighton & Hove Albion. More pertinently than the gap, United’s tally now stands at 39 points. Only once in the last 20 years has a Premier League side been relegated with such a total. For the first time this season, Leeds recorded back-to-back wins and this week’s six points may have just secured another campaign at this level in 2026-27. We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference. Wednesday, April 22: Bournemouth (A), Premier League, 8pm (UK), 3pm (ET) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Beren Cross is a football writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. Before joining The Athletic, he reported on Leeds United for Leeds Live. He was born in Doncaster and grew up in Lincoln. Follow Beren on Twitter @Berencross