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Kalvin Phillips scored his first goal of the season but ended a comprehensive Leeds win with a worrying shoulder injury ahead of Gareth Southgate naming England’s Euro 2020 squad next week.
Phillips, more usually known for crunching tackles in midfield, beat Sam Johnstone with a neat free-kick approaching half-time as eight thousand returning Leeds fans were able to celebrate watching Premier League football inside Elland Road for the first time since 2004.
His strike was bookended by goals for Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford, the latter firing in from the penalty spot to also keep his slim hopes of an international call up alive.
Kalvin Phillips had scored his first goal of the season to give Leeds a 3-1 win on the final day
But he picked up a shoulder injury in the dying moments of the game at Elland Road
A potential spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad could now be in huge doubt for the midfielder
But Phillips’ day deteriorated in a minute of madness at the end. First, his loose touch from Liam Cooper’s pass allowed Hal Robson-Kanu a consolation for Albion.
Then to make matters worse, the frustrated Phillips launched into an ill-advised lunge at Grady Diangana by the touchline which earned him a yellow card and saw stricken with a shoulder injury that saw him helped off the pitch on the final whistle.
The result left Leeds finishing a creditable ninth in their first season following promotion but for already-relegated West Brom it was a disappointing end to their campaign with 66-year-old manager Sam Allardyce having already announced he is stepping down.
The excitement was palpable before kick off as Leeds supporters were finally able to see Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic team in the flesh.
Leeds opened the scoring in front of 8,000 fans with a Rodrigo header in the 17th minute
Rodrigo (right) celebrates after scoring for Leeds with teammate Raphinha
Bielsa’s starting line-up also allowed them to say farewell to “wizard” Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi who are leaving the club at the end of the season.
United captain Liam Cooper might have been too pumped up when his outstretched arm caught Darnell Furlong on the side of the head after only 15 seconds, earning him a quick booking.
Jack Harrison put the ball into Albion’s net early on – only for it to be ruled for offside. But rampant Leeds didn’t have long to wait to open the scoring after 17 minutes.
Raphinha’s corner was missed by the jumping Berardi but Spanish striker Rodrigo showed great instinct to anticipate the flight of the ball and fling himself in front of Harrison to head in from close range.
Phillips’ then doubled the home side’s advantage with a strike three minutes before half-time
Bamford wrapped up the three points from the penalty spot with 11 minutes to play
Patrick Bamford celebrates after helping Leeds cruise to a 3-1 victory over West Brom
It was Rodrigo’s fourth goal in four matches following a season in which he’s largely had to play second fiddle to Patrick Bamford.
Albion responded with a Darnell Furlong header saved by Kiko Casilla and then Connor Gallagher got booked for a high boot on Raphinha. Their most dangerous forward Callum Robinson then sent a shot narrowly wide.
Leeds added a second after 43 minutes by outfoxing West Brom at a set-piece ust outside the left edge of the penalty area.
Raphinha stood over the ball as if he would take but then stepped aside to let Phillips whip in a right-footer that fooled Johnstone and finished up nestling inside the near post.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds ended the season in style with four straight victories for a top 10 finish
Hal Robson-Kanu grabbed a consolation goal for the already relegated Baggies at Ellan Road
Defeat sees Sam Allardyce end his Baggies tenure on a miserable note following relegation
It was the holding midfielder’s first goal since July when he netted against Blackburn in The Championship.
Bielsa introduced Patrick Bamford for Rodrigo at the interval and 36-year-old Hernandez almost marked his farewell with a sharp turn and shot that Johnstone dived to save.
Leeds were enjoying themselves with Hernandez again denied by the goalkeeper. But Albion, who were missing star man Matheus Pereira, were left berating their own luck when Robinson struck the post with a deflected shot and Ainsley Maitland-Niles was denied by Casilla.
There were emotional scenes when Berardi and Hernandez were replaced 20 minutes from the end, each of the Leeds players stepping forward to give their departing team-mates an embrace.
Pablo Hernandez applauds Leeds fans, having played his final game for the club
Gaetano Berardi (left) was also playing his final match for Leeds as he applauds supporters
It didn’t stop Leeds pouring forward in true Bielsa-style. Johnstone pulled off more saves to deny defender Luke Ayling and substitute Tyler Roberts as they capitalised on showing the fans first hand what they’ve been doing all season.
They were awarded a clear penalty after 78 minutes when Okay Yokuslu stuck out an arm to block Harrison’s cross.
Raphinha and Bamford both wanted to take, forcing Cooper to come over and adjudicate. Bamford was given the honour and slammed it home for his 17th goal of the season – another Englishman letting Southgate know he’s in form.
