Leeds on brink of Premier League promotion after smashing Stoke

Leeds are on the brink of promotion to the Premier League after Joel Piroe scored four goals in a 6-0 demolition of Stoke on Monday.

Daniel Farke’s men will return to the top division if Sheffield United fail to win at second-placed Burnley in the evening kick-off.

Burnley will be promoted along with Leeds if they beat Sheffield United.

Leeds, who last played in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season, suffered the agony of defeat to Southampton in last season’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.

The Yorkshire club — three-time English champions — are now near certainties to gain promotion after humbling Stoke at Elland Road.

Dutch forward Piroe, who had not scored since late February, returned to form with a vengeance, celebrating a hat-trick in the 20th minute.

Junior Firpo made it four and Piroe, the club’s leading scorer this season, netted his fourth goal shortly before half-time.

The game was already long over as a contest but Wilfried Gnonto nodded a sixth goal in the 59th minute.

Leeds wobbled from the start of March, winning just one in six games, raising fears that they would again have to settle for a place in the play-offs.

But they have now won their past four league games and may have just hours to wait until their promotion is confirmed.