It was a disastrous run of results that set up Leeds’ greatest night of 2024.
Just one win in the last six games of last season saw the Whites fall out of automatic promotion contention and into the dreaded play-offs. They faced Norwich City in the semi-finals.
A solid display in the first leg away at Carrow Road meant the game ended goalless.
On paper, the Peacocks had the better squad and were well-placed to beat the Canaries and book a place at Wembley.
But this is Leeds. We don’t do it easy and we have never been promoted via the play-offs.
As the night drew near, the ghosts of the last play-off semi-final at Elland Road hung around as nerves, like the free scarves left over the seats.
Five years ago, at this same stage, Marcelo Bielsa’s first season in charge ended abruptly to Frank Lampard’s Derby County.
Leeds had been cruising but in 13 mad minutes either side of half-time, they conceded three goals and never recovered.
Seven months ago, on a balmy night in May, there was a determination to banish those ghosts. I have seldom seen Elland Road as it was, everyone who was able to, stood for the entire game.
Early goals from Illia Gruev and Joel Piroe had those free scarves twirling in the Beeston air. This was Leeds at their boisterous best.
And when Josh Sargent broke free of United’s high line, Illan Meslier rushed out to meet him. Meslier’s powerful hand parried away a dinked effort – surely one of the best saves of his career. It just seemed to be our night.
By the time Crysencio Summerville made it four, the party began in earnest. Leeds were going to Wembley, were 90 minutes from the Premier League and had one more shot at rewriting history.
Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock.