After their promotion to the Championship, Leeds United enjoyed a commendable season in 2010-11, finishing 7th in the league with a total of 72 points. The team showcased their attacking prowess, scoring an impressive 81 goals throughout the campaign.
Key Players and Top Scorer
The standout performer for Leeds that season was Luciano Becchio, who netted 20 goals, establishing himself as the club’s top scorer. His contributions were vital to the team’s offensive strategy, helping to keep Leeds in contention for a playoff spot for much of the season.
In addition to Becchio, the club saw a remarkable performance from other players:
- Max Gradel: 18 goals
- Davide Somma: 12 goals
- Jonny Howson: 11 goals
This marked a significant achievement, as it was the first time since 1990-91 that four players scored in double figures, demonstrating the team’s depth in attacking options.
League Performance
Despite their strong performances, Leeds United narrowly missed out on the playoff spots. The team was in contention for much of the season, but ultimately finished outside the top six. The combination of a potent attack and a resolute defense made them a formidable opponent, but consistency in key moments was required to secure a playoff berth.
Cup Competitions
In the FA Cup, Leeds reached the third round, where they faced Premier League giants Arsenal. The match was a memorable one, as Leeds managed to force a replay, showcasing their ability to compete against top-tier teams.
Conversely, the team’s performance in the League Cup was less impressive, as they exited in the second round. This early elimination highlighted the need for improvement in cup competitions moving forward.
Individual Honors
The 2010-11 season also brought individual accolades for Leeds players:
- Max Gradel was awarded both the Fans’ Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year, a testament to his exceptional performances.
- Jonny Howson received the Young Player of the Year award, reflecting his significant improvement and contributions to the team.
Off the Field Developments
Off the pitch, Chairman Ken Bates solidified his control over the club by acquiring a majority shareholding. This move aimed to stabilize the club’s finances and set the stage for future growth.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2010-11 season for Leeds United was a blend of promise and performance. With a strong attacking lineup and notable individual achievements, the club established itself as a competitive force in the Championship. As they looked to build on this success, fans remained hopeful for a future return to the Premier League.
Championship 2010-11 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queens Park Rangers (C, P) | 46 | 24 | 16 | 6 | 71 | 32 | +39 | 88 |
| 2 | Norwich City (P) | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 83 | 58 | +25 | 84 |
| 3 | Swansea City (O, P) | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 69 | 42 | +27 | 80 |
| 4 | Cardiff City | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 76 | 54 | +22 | 80 |
| 5 | Reading | 46 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 77 | 51 | +26 | 77 |
| 6 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 69 | 50 | +19 | 75 |
| 7 | Leeds United | 46 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 81 | 70 | +11 | 72 |
| 8 | Burnley | 46 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 65 | 61 | +4 | 68 |
| 9 | Millwall | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 62 | 48 | +14 | 67 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 46 | 19 | 10 | 17 | 76 | 71 | +5 | 67 |
| 11 | Hull City | 46 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 52 | 51 | +1 | 65 |
| 12 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 68 | 68 | 0 | 62 |
| 13 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 62 | 68 | −6 | 62 |
| 14 | Watford | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 77 | 71 | +6 | 61 |
| 15 | Bristol City | 46 | 17 | 9 | 20 | 62 | 65 | −3 | 60 |
| 16 | Portsmouth | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 53 | 60 | −7 | 58 |
| 17 | Barnsley | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 55 | 66 | −11 | 56 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 54 | 58 | −4 | 55 |
| 19 | Derby County | 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 58 | 71 | −13 | 49 |
| 20 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 44 | 69 | −25 | 48 |
| 21 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 55 | 81 | −26 | 48 |
| 22 | Preston North End (R) | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 54 | 79 | −25 | 42 |
| 23 | Sheffield United (R) | 46 | 11 | 9 | 26 | 44 | 79 | −35 | 42 |
| 24 | Scunthorpe United (R) | 46 | 12 | 6 | 28 | 43 | 87 | −44 | 42 |
Leeds United 2010-11 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Championship | 07 Aug 2010 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 1-2 |
| League Cup | 10 Aug 2010 | Leeds United v Lincoln City | W | 4-0 |
| League Championship | 15 Aug 2010 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 21 Aug 2010 | Leeds United v Millwall | W | 3-1 |
| League Cup | 24 Aug 2010 | Leeds United v Leicester City | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 28 Aug 2010 | Watford v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 11 Sep 2010 | Leeds United v Swansea City | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 14 Sep 2010 | Barnsley v Leeds United | L | 5-2 |
| League Championship | 17 Sep 2010 | Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 25 Sep 2010 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 28 Sep 2010 | Leeds United v Preston North End | L | 4-6 |
| League Championship | 02 Oct 2010 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 16 Oct 2010 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 19 Oct 2010 | Leeds United v Leicester City | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 25 Oct 2010 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | L | 0-4 |
| League Championship | 30 Oct 2010 | Scunthorpe United v Leeds United | W | 1-4 |
| League Championship | 06 Nov 2010 | Coventry City v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 09 Nov 2010 | Leeds United v Hull City | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 13 Nov 2010 | Leeds United v Bristol City | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 20 Nov 2010 | Norwich City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 27 Nov 2010 | Reading v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 04 Dec 2010 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 11 Dec 2010 | Burnley v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 18 Dec 2010 | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 26 Dec 2010 | Leicester City v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 28 Dec 2010 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | D | 3-3 |
| League Championship | 01 Jan 2011 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 04 Jan 2011 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| FA Cup | 08 Jan 2011 | Arsenal v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| FA Cup | 15 Jan 2011 | Leeds United v Scunthorpe United | W | 4-0 |
| FA Cup | 19 Jan 2011 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 1-3 |
| League Championship | 22 Jan 2011 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 01 Feb 2011 | Hull City v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 05 Feb 2011 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 12 Feb 2011 | Bristol City v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 19 Feb 2011 | Leeds United v Norwich City | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 22 Feb 2011 | Leeds United v Barnsley | D | 3-3 |
| League Championship | 26 Feb 2011 | Swansea City v Leeds United | L | 3-0 |
| League Championship | 05 Mar 2011 | Leeds United v Doncaster Rovers | W | 5-2 |
| League Championship | 08 Mar 2011 | Preston North End v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 12 Mar 2011 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 19 Mar 2011 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 02 Apr 2011 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | W | 4-1 |
| League Championship | 09 Apr 2011 | Millwall v Leeds United | L | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 12 Apr 2011 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 16 Apr 2011 | Leeds United v Watford | D | 2-2 |
| League Championship | 22 Apr 2011 | Leeds United v Reading | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 25 Apr 2011 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 30 Apr 2011 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 07 May 2011 | Queens Park Rangers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
