Those earlier successes for Scott Parker’s Clarets at Watford and then Sheffield United beating Cardiff City had put the pressure back on for Leeds before kick-off.
Successive wins over Middlesbrough and Preston North End had steadied the nerves after a jittery run of one win in six games had brought up memories of their collapse at this same stage 12 months ago, which culminated in play-off heartache at Wembley.
In a first league visit to Oxford since March 1990 – a season which finished with Leeds winning promotion to the top flight under Howard Wilkinson – Daniel Farke’s men encountered an organised and committed home side and Cameron Brannagan tested Karl Darlow early on with a 20-yard effort.
But the Yorkshire side took control as Jamie Cumming made a fine save after USA midfielder Brenden Aaronson had burst through, while Ben Nelson’s brilliant clearance prevented a certain tap-in for Willy Gnonto.
But Leeds’ 33rd-minute winner was an example of the incisive football they have displayed all season as Joe Rodon’s excellent pass set Jayden Bogle free and the right-back picked out Solomon arriving at the back post to steer it home.
It was a ninth goal for the Israel winger during his season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and a 12th Championship goal involvement in 2025 (six goals, six assists), showing how he has stepped up during the run-in.
It all makes him a fine piece of business after Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville were sold to Premier League clubs last summer.
Bogle shot wide with a good chance to make the game safe early in the second half and Japan international Ao Tanaka was unlucky not to finish it late on when he struck the inside of the post with a fine strike from distance.
Without that cushion, LLeeds United returned to the top of the Championship with a win at Oxford United as they matched victories earlier on Friday for both Burnley and Sheffield United.
A first-half goal from Manor Solomon saw them regain first place on goal difference from the Clarets with just three games left to play, and Sheffield United five points behind in third.
The Whites now face Stoke City at Elland Road on Easter Monday knowing success in that match, coupled with the Blades failing to win at Burnley later that day, would be enough to secure Premier League promotion.
However, five points from their remaining three matches would do it regardless of other results.
Oxford slipped a place to 19th, five points clear of the bottom three but still with work to do to secure their spot in the division for nextThose earlier successes for Scott Parker’s Clarets at Watford and then Sheffield United beating Cardiff City had put the pressure back on for Leeds before kick-off.
Successive wins over Middlesbrough and Preston North End had steadied the nerves after a jittery run of one win in six games had brought up memories of their collapse at this same stage 12 months ago, which culminated in play-off heartache at Wembley.
In a first league visit to Oxford since March 1990 – a season which finished with Leeds winning promotion to the top flight under Howard Wilkinson – Daniel Farke’s men encountered an organised and committed home side and Cameron Brannagan tested Karl Darlow early on with a 20-yard effort.
But the Yorkshire side took control as Jamie Cumming made a fine save after USA midfielder Brenden Aaronson had burst through, while Ben Nelson’s brilliant clearance prevented a certain tap-in for Willy Gnonto.
But Leeds’ 33rd-minute winner was an example of the incisive football they have displayed all season as Joe Rodon’s excellent pass set Jayden Bogle free and the right-back picked out Solomon arriving at the back post to steer it home.
It was a ninth goal for the Israel winger during his season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and a 12th Championship goal involvement in 2025 (six goals, six assists), showing how he has stepped up during the run-in.
It all makes him a fine piece of business after Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville were sold to Premier League clubs last summer.
Bogle shot wide with a good chance to make the game safe early in the second half and Japan international Ao Tanaka was unlucky not to finish it late on when he struck the inside of the post with a fine strike from distance.
Without that cushion, Leeds were forced season.eeds were forced
