LEEDS UNITED are back in the Premier League after 16 years in the wilderness.
Thousands of fans descended on Elland Road and celebrated long into the night but celebrations turned sour as at least two cars were wrecked outside the stadium.
Celebrations turned sour as thousands of Leeds United fans flocked to Elland Road as the club were promoted back to the Premier LeagueCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
At least two cars were vandalised outside the stadiumCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Supporters were pictured standing on a car, leaving it with huge dents and smashed windowsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Leeds United fans descended on Elland Road as the club were promoted back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 yearsCredit: Reuters
Thousands of fans travelled to the stadium to celebrate long into the nightCredit: Reuters
Leeds United players could be seen standing in the windows at Elland Road, waving and cheering with the hundreds of fans belowCredit: AFP or licensors
The players then emerged to get close to the supportersCredit: Reuters
Within minutes the players were then jumping and cheering while swinging their tops over their headsCredit: Reuters
The Yorkshire club returned to the top flight after West Brom lost to Huddersfield Town on Friday evening.
It ends a nearly two decades wait – and a stream of near-misses – for one of England’s most famous and popular clubs.
Fans were quick to congregate outside Elland Road with hundreds descending on the stadium despite warnings from police amid social distancing.
Yellow and blue smoke filled the air as dozens of scarves were draped over the statue of legendary midfielder Billy Bremner.
Players could be seen looking out from high windows at the stadium, waving and cheering with the fans below, before they emerged in front of their supporters.
The jubilant players then began singing and cheering with supporters – even taking their tops off and swinging them round their heads in wild scenes.
But as celebrations continued into the night at least two cars were badly vandalised.
Fans were pictured jumping on the roof and bonnet of two cars, leaving both with huge dents and smashed windscreens.
At the time of writing, West Yorkshire Police are yet to make any comment on events at Elland Road.
Delighted Leeds supporters in front of Elland RoadCredit: PA:Press Association
Blue and yellow smoke grenades were a feature of the raucous celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
Fans also let off fireworks as celebrations carried on into the nightCredit: PA:Press Association
Leeds United fans started arriving at the stadium before the news was even confirmedCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans flocked to Elland Road to cheer and singCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans gathered at the stadium to celebrateCredit: PA:Press Association
The club are back in the top flight after West Brom failed to win at Huddersfield TownCredit: PA:Press Association
The stature of legendary midfielder Billy Bremner was draped in scarvesCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans chanting the name of their hero, manager Marcelo BielsaCredit: AFP or licensors
Leeds last played Premier League football in 2004.
Their shock relegation came just three years after the club reached the Champions League semi-final, before massive wages and spiralling debts sent them into financial meltdown.
The three-times league champions even dropped to the third tier in 2007 before eventually getting promoted back to the Championship in 2010.
It has taken another decade for them to reach the promised land, with almost a dozen managers failing in their ultimate goal.
Marcelo Bielsa, who was already an iconic figure at Elland Road for his outspoken nature and electric football, is the man to have finally done it and will certainly go down in Elland Road folklore.
Emile Smith Rowe’s goal gave Huddersfield a 2-1 win over West Brom and ensured Leeds’ return to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa masterminded the club’s return after nearly two decades awayCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The Baggies had to win to ensure Bielsa’s side remained in the second tier for at least another game.
But they got off to the worst possible start when Callum Willock bundled home after just four minutes.
They scored a scruffy goal of their own just before half-time, but the deal was sealed when Arsenal loanee Emile Smith Rowe scored a smart goal late on for Huddersfield to win 2-1.
That goal sparked bedlam in Leeds – the club simply posting: “WE ARE BACK!!”
Local boy James Milner, who supports the club and came through the youth system, wrote: “Congratulations LUFC.”
Aaron Lennon, another youth product, added: “Finally!!! Back in the Prem! Congrats Leeds! What a day for everyone associated with the club and the city. Leeds Leeds Leeds.”
Legendary left-back Ian Harte wrote: “Omg Leeds are back in the promised land.
“Premier League here we go. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Two fans celebrate with a smoke grenade and scarfCredit: PA:Press Association
One fan had a Leeds United themed face maskCredit: AFP or licensors
Two fans show of their banner for manager Marcelo BielsaCredit: AFP or licensors
Thomas Minns, a pro rugby player for second division Featherstone Rovers, earlier tweeted he would tattoo Bielsa “on my face”.
As the full-time whistle went, he wrote: “How do I delete a tweet?”
One fan even managed to write out a list of all the things that didn’t exist back when Leeds were last in the top flight.
The list included Twitter, Instagram, Uber, Netflix (video’s by post only, Snapchat, iPhone, iPad, Android, HD TV, 4G, Spotify and WhatsApp.
How did we manage?
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
