The audit - Leeds United
In the latest in our series, Paul Hayward examines a Premier League club in detail Paul Hayward 25 Jan 2026 - THE OBSERVER / Sport On-pitch performance The grumble in September was that Leeds had failed to sign a striker and undermined their survival chances. Unheralded, and on a free transfer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin did little to dispel that fear before the end of November, when he set off on a run of eight goals in nine matches. Against Manchester United, Calvert-Lewin, still only 28, outshone a £74m No9, Benjamin Šeško. He is the first Leeds player to score in six consecutive Premier League games. Daniel Farke, meanwhile, has found a settled formula that has given Leeds clear water above the relegation zone. They have lost once in 2026 so far, 4-3 at Newcastle, their only defeat in their past 10 matches, a run that includes seven unbeaten in the league – their best run in the top flight since 2001. In the core of regulars are Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Joe Rodon...