Leeds will still have breathing space either way but Monday will be the latest test of resolve and character
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
17:11, 24 Jan 2026
Crysencio Summerville celebrates after getting the opening goal for West Ham vs Sunderland(Image: West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
West Ham United’s 3-1 win over Sunderland this afternoon means Leeds United know they must beat Everton on Monday if they are to keep the distance to the relegation zone to three victories.
Leeds entered the weekend eight points ahead of the Hammers but the gap has now shrunk to five after goalscorer Crysencio Summerville helped the London club earn their fifth win of the season – just one fewer than United, who of course have a game in hand.
Despite some very good performances and draws on the road, Leeds have not registered an away Premier League win since September, which was against bottom club Wolves.
That remains their sole away league victory. Only Wolves themselves have registered fewer away wins (none). In the away-only table heading into this weekend, United sat 18th.
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Everton – who sat 14th in the home-only table – have won just four of their 11 home league games at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Both they and Leeds head into the game on the back of 1-0 wins and with a few injury absences.
A draw at Everton would mean Leeds sit two wins and a draw above the bottom three. A defeat would keep the distance to just two West Ham wins.
Elsewhere in the relegation battle, Burnley’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur has pushed them to 10 points behind Leeds and seven points from safety while Jorgen Strand Larsen’s Wolves are some 14 points from the dotted line having lost 2-0 to Manchester City.
Asked earlier this week about his team’s progress so far this season, Daniel Farke said: “[We are] relaxed in the sense of balance. We know that we are in really good shape. We have proven that we can beat any side in this league away or at home.
“Each and every performance and each and every good result makes the belief also stronger and gives you more confidence. On the other hand nothing is achieved yet so 25 points at this stage is good but if we stay on 25 points it won’t be enough, so we have to keep going we need to win many more points.
“There is no reason not to stay grounded, not to stay humble, not to stay modest, not to get carried away. We know that If we are at our very best and if we invest everything further on like we did also in the last month, then we have a chance to achieve our goals.
“But if we give 1% less, then there is no chance for us as a newly promoted side to win enough points in this league. And for that, I would describe the atmosphere as balanced.”