Dominic Calvert-lewin backs Leeds with Farke’s 40-point survival push
Daniel Farke has no concerns over dominic calvert-lewin’s form as Leeds United prepare for Friday night’s home game against Burnley. Leeds sit on 40 points from 34 Premier League games and can move closer to safety with a result against a Burnley side that was already relegated before kick-off.
Calvert-Lewin has one open-play goal in his last 15 appearances for Leeds, but Farke pushed back on the idea that the forward’s contribution is being judged only through scoring. Leeds had already reached the FA Cup semi-finals before Chelsea beat them at Wembley on Sunday, then turned back to the league with survival still in view.
Farke on Calvert-Lewin
“Calvert-Lewin is, of course, invited to and welcome to score. Away against Palace, he missed a few chances, but with the underload (Leeds were reduced to 10 men) in the second half, you can’t expect much.” Farke said the forward also “played a major role with goal-line clearances” against Manchester United, a reminder that Leeds are getting more than one job from him even if the goals have not followed in volume.
He also said: “The solution is to work hard on being a good teammate. Don’t think too much about the goals because they will come.” That was backed up by his bottle-of-ketchup line: “He has scored his whole life, and they will come. Also, work hard in training. Scoring is like a bottle of ketchup – when it comes out all of a sudden.”
Leeds and Burnley
Friday night gives Leeds a direct chance to add points before the table tightens again. Burnley arrive already relegated, while Leeds are still trying to turn a 40-point return from 34 games into the margin they need to finish the job.
Farke said Leeds could even settle their safety race at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday, May 11, and he made clear he would rather not leave it hanging. “In general, it’s always better the earlier you can plan: it’s a fact,” he said, adding that “one of two weeks won’t matter because of the World Cup. But just for the nerves of everyone, it would be good.”
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
That leaves Leeds with a simple target this week: take something from Burnley, and keep the pressure off the trip to Tottenham. Farke was equally direct about the bigger picture, saying, “I don’t like to praise us too early and too much for something we haven’t achieved yet.”
