After four matchdays back in the top flight, Leeds United sit in eighth place, joint on seven points with Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United. Two wins, a draw and a defeat is how Marcelo Bielsa’s men have begun this campaign, and it places them ahead of Manchester City, Manchester United and Sheffield United in the table.
Both Manchester clubs have played a game less than the Whites, but even if they both win their game in hand, they would still be on equal or fewer points.
Some sections of Leeds’ fanbase approached the start of the campaign with caution, while others waged wild optimism. On balance, to have played champions Liverpool, super-rich Manchester City and last season’s sweethearts Sheffield United and still find themselves in the top half is no small feat.
LeedsLive charts the team’s start to the season in comparison to promoted teams of the past.
2019-20 – Promoted: Norwich City, Sheffield United, Aston Villa
After four games in PL:
Norwich – 19th place – 3 points
Blades – 10th place – 5 points
Villa – 18th place – 3 points
Already, Leeds have bettered each of the promoted sides from last year in points accrued and their position in the table after four matches. The Blades fared best but still fell two points short of Leeds’ total this year, and each of the three sides only managed a single victory each.
2018-19 – Promoted: Wolves, Cardiff City, Fulham
After four games in PL:
Wolves – 11th place – 5 points
Cardiff – 16th place – 2 points
Fulham – 13th place – 4 points
Yet again, Leeds’ seven-point haul trumps each of the three promoted sides in 2018-19. Cardiff didn’t manage a victory inside their first four, while Leeds already have two under their belt, against Sheffield United and Fulham.
2017-18 – Promoted: Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town
After four games in PL:
Newcastle – 10th place – 6 points
Brighton – 14th place – 4 points
Huddersfield – 6th place – 7 points
The Championship’s Class of 2016-17 took to Premier League life better than most would have expected, with the surprise package of David Wagner’s Huddersfield picking up two wins and a draw in their first four Premier League matches, equalling Leeds’ start to this campaign.
2016-17 – Promoted: Burnley, Middlesbrough, Hull City
After four games in PL:
Burnley – 15th place – 4 points
Middlesbrough – 9th place – 5 points
Hull City – 8th place – 7 points
Hull City’s play-off heroics against Sheffield Wednesday catapulted them back to the top flight and their momentum carried them into two victories and a draw in their opening four fixtures. They would end the season in the bottom three however, alongside Middlesbrough who also started well, which should serve as a warning to Leeds.
2015-16 – Promoted: AFC Bournemouth, Watford, Norwich City
After four games in PL:
Bournemouth – 11th place – 4 points
Watford – 17th place – 3 points
Norwich – 14th place – 4 points
Each of the three promoted sides struggled at the beginning of the 2015-16 season but Watford and Bournemouth would improve enough throughout the year and managed to sustain their status as Premier League sides for five years.
2014-15 – Promoted: Leicester City, Burnley, Queens Park Rangers
After four games in PL:
Leicester – 12th place – 5 points
Burnley – 18th place – 2 points
QPR – 16th place – 3 points
All three promoted teams in 2014-15 found themselves in the bottom half of the table after four matches that year, failing to match or better Leeds’ effort in 2020-21. This means that of the last 21 teams to be promoted to the Premier League, none have managed a better record than Leeds.
Based on the last couple of Premier League seasons it appears that Leeds have not done too badly to have picked up seven points from a possible twelve. Factor in the nerves that come with a first top flight season in 16 years and Leeds have done especially well.
As per FBRef.com, it is interesting to note that of the top five players to have made the most successful pressures in the league this season, three are Whites players. What they must do now is build on their promising start, staying true to their approach which has won them admirers throughout the Premier League.
