Daniel Farke was able to praise his players' efforts again as Leeds United's brilliant April continued with a 3-0 win over bottom of the table Wolves.
It was not an easy a game as the result suggested, but a lightning fast start saw the Whites two up inside 20 minutes to ease nerves with James Justin scoring with a spectacular overhead kick and Old Trafford hero Noah Okafor netting his seventh goal of the season.
It was more of a struggle in the second half after the Championship-bound visitors changed system to go man for man, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty in added time after he had been upended in the area made sure the celebrations could carry on for United.
They are now on 39 points with five games remaining and know they are close to achieving their aim to stay in the Premier Division.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his goal that made it 3-0 for Leeds United against Wolves.placeholder image
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates his goal that made it 3-0 for Leeds United against Wolves.
Manager Farke believes the job is not quite done yet, although six points in the week have put the Whites a lot closer to their aim.
He said: "You have to say it was a relatively comfortable 3-0 win, fully deserved. I was a bit nervous before this game, for me a game after such an historical night at Old Trafford is always difficult.
“A home game with rock bottom side in the league, everyone expects it will be a bit easier. They've had more than decent results in recent months.
“I expected this to be a very difficult game. To start that strong was decisive, to be 2-0 up, to stay with the foot on the gas.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fouled to earn a penalty for Leeds United against Wolves.placeholder image
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fouled to earn a penalty for Leeds United against Wolves.
“There were one or two nervy moments but we put the right tackle in, a top class save from Karl Darlow. To bury it with the third goal feels quite good. A massive step forward for us."
Farke added: "I would say during a normal season 39 points are probably enough but we have a special season with teams like Tottenham, which is normally ridiculous, trying to chase us, Nottingham Forest trying to chase us - a team in Europe who spent £150m in the summer.
“We have to play Spurs and West Ham and if you lose it means they get three points. A lot is achieved but nothing is done yet.
“It's a fantastic position to be. in but the feeling is we probably need to win one or a few more points, we'll stay focused and want to win one or a few more points as soon as possible to have it mathematically done.
Manager Daniel Farke celebrates after his side's victory over Wolves.placeholder image
Manager Daniel Farke celebrates after his side's victory over Wolves.
“We don't want to travel on the last game day into a nervy game anyhow, when you have to deliver a result in a difficult away game. So for that, we'll try to win these points that we need as soon as possible."
Leeds carried on where they left off at Manchester United as they could have been ahead in the first 30 seconds, Okafor breaking free and setting up Calvert-Lewin, who was denied by Wolves keeper Dan Bentley’s fine block.
Roared on by expectant home fans, Leeds came close again when Ao Tanaka's corner came off a Wolves defender and Justin headed over with the goal gaping.
Calvert-Lewin was again denied when his effort was cleared off the line by Adam Armstrong after he had met Pascal Struijk's head on from another corner
An opening goal had to come and in the 18th minute it arrived in great style with Justin's overhead kick from close range after Tanaka's corner had led to Ethan Ampadu's volley initially brilliantly saved at point blank range by Bentley.
Within a flash it was 2-0 as Brenden Aaronson made a break down the right and put over a superb low cross that picked out Okafor who calmly stroked the ball home.
To Wolves' credit they did not let their heads drop and threatened when Armstong raced onto a long ball and looked set to shoot only to be denied by a brilliant diving header clearance from Justin.
At the other end Okafor's cross-shot was easily saved before the half petered out somewhat.
Wolves did briefly threaten again as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Calvert-Lewin.
The second half saw effective changes made by Wolves with home frustrations beginning to grow.
Ampadu tried his luck with an overhead kick, but could only send the ball over while it needed a fine save from Karl Darlow to keep out Ladislav Krejci's near post header.
Krejci was later taken off after being pushed in the back by Aaronson in an act of revenge after the Leeds player had been tackled dangerously from behind.
It showed how the players were feeling the pressure and also how referee Farai Hallam had been far too lenient with his cards at some of the fouls committed by the visiting players – Krejci was not booked for his bad foul.
Before the long delay caused by the Wolves player going down Calvert-Lewin sent a header wide when under pressure to win a high ball and Rodrigo Gomes got in behind the home defence only to poke the ball wide.
Armstrong did have the ball in the net for the visitors, but to the relief of the home fans he was just offside.
Leeds finished the stronger and after Struijk went close with a shot they finally put the game to bed as Calvert-Lewin was put through by substitute Willy Gnonto only to be brought down by Hugo Bueno, who avoided being red carded, although he was the last defender, but did not avoid conceding a penalty.
Calvert-Lewin picked himself up to put the resulting spot kick away for his 12th goal of the season and Leeds could celebrate a good job done. They had avoided a potential banana skin had back to back victories for the first time since their return to the Premier.
(Justin 18, Okafor 20, Calvert-Lewin 90+6, pen)
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Premier League
Attendance: 36,840
Leeds: Darlow; Justin, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka (Longstaff 90+6), Gudmundsson (Rodon 90+6); Aaronson (Gruev 77), Okafor (Gnonto 67); Calvert-Lewin (Nmecha 90+6).
Wolves: Bentley; Bellegarde (R Gomes 67), S Bueno, Toti, Krejci (Hee-Chan 75); Andre, Joao Gomes; Tchatchoua (Lima 45), A Gomes (Mane 37), H Bueno; Armstrong.
Referee: Farai Hallam
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