Lancashire

Pundits Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

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• Brentford 3-0 West Ham United

• Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton

• Arsenal 3-0 Fulham

Tom Gayle
MOTD Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

For a few weeks now, Burnley had made it clear Hannibal Mejbri was on the verge of his return from a hamstring injury. I can't lie, after receiving the team news at Elland Road, I questioned the wisdom of whether his first game back should have been away at Leeds United.

This season the midfielder received a four-match ban and was given a £15,000 fine after admitting to spitting at Leeds supporters during Burnley's 2-0 victory at Turf Moor back in October.

The warmth of 'reception' was as you would expect. Being the last name on the teamsheet, it was a long build-up to the inevitable boos which followed "Hannibal" being read out by the stadium announcer.

A few behind the dugouts let their feelings be known as the 23-year-old made his way past to the visitors bench prior to kick-off. Midway through the first half, there was the sight of Hannibal receiving what appeared to be a one-man security escort as he made his way back to the tunnel.

Hannibal's eventual introduction came in the 54th minute. Despite still being soaked in the jubilation of Noah Okafor's goal, the vibes quickly changed as the Tunisian international's run onto the field was sound-tracked by a cacophony of jeers.

There was no let-up, his every touch was met by boos. In my eyes, there was more than one attempt from Leeds players to 'leave one on' the Burnley substitute. The pantomime bingo card-esque scenes were completed by loud cheers which greeted, firstly, Ethan Amadu's booking following a shoulder-high pull back on Hannibal, before Hannibal himself when he was cautioned for a late challenge on Brenden Aaronson.

When I questioned interim head coach Mike Jackson on the selection decision, there was no pondering within his response. "I always knew the reaction he would get. I said to Hannibal before the game, don't antagonise the crowd, just go on and show your quality."

While spitting towards someone is reviled across society, in the end, this may be seen as a win-win. Leeds supporters grasped the opportunity to vent their frustrations at Hannibal's indefensible actions, whereas Burnley were able to see the return of a talented and creative player.

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

Robert: Fully deserved three points. Our players once again stood up to be counted when it really mattered. Nearly safe now!

Christopher: Delighted with the win but we seemed a bit nervy seeing the game out. We're so much better yet seemed to make it tough for ourselves unnecessarily.

Eric: The major thing here is the three points - priceless. However, once again Leeds made it hard for themselves in a game they should have killed off by half-time. But they came out second half and did the business - and a good job too because we started to let Burnley get back into it in the final 20 minutes.

Hanif: Fantastic. Been a tough season, with highs and lows, but determination and true grit has seen us get to this point where our Premier League status is all but secured. Well done, Leeds.

Burnley fans

Peter: A shocking defensive display. No shape, ball watching and thanks but goodbye to our goalkeeper, who was responsible for two of the goals. There is a nucleus of players who are good enough for the challenge next season, so we need a couple of decent additions and, most importantly, a manager who is not only a good friend to the players but a good coach and inspiration as well. Come back, Craig Bellamy.

Steve: The players have no team spirit - there's no fight there. We seem to constantly want to play out from the back and invariably lose the ball. When we get into the opponent’s half the team is lost - there's no attacking mentality.

Jack: What do you expect when you have five at the back and still room given for the first goal? Diabolical. I just don't get it. Not one of this team should be wearing the Burnley shirt. For once, I believe we need a completely new team next season.

Peter: Again and again we showed that Premier League football was a step too far for this collection of players. We can only hope that next season’s squad is better. It would be nice to have something to cheer.

Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started the game a bit jittery. I knew this could go one of two ways with what has happened in the last 24 hours, and I knew there could be some nerves and anxiety. I think we grew into the game in the back end of the first half and we started the second quiet well, but then again at this level you can't give away errors that lead to goals and ultimately that has cost us in the end.

"We wait sometimes to get going, to go a goal down and then it is like 'ok let's go'. We need to give ourselves a better chance by competing from the start.

"Win a game of football. It is as simple as that. I don't look at anything else in terms of outside. Strip it all back and it's about trying to win a game of football between now and the end of the season, to give our supporters something to hold onto to go into next year. That is the sole focus. It is up to us now as a group of staff to bring these lads together and to try to give them that confidence because it is difficult when you are down there."

On who is in the frame to take the reigns going forward: "This is just coming less than 24 hours. That for me is as far away from my thoughts as possible. No one has spoken about anything to do with that. The club and players have had to deal with the manager leaving who was really close to ourselves and the group."

Did you know?

• Burnley fell to their 23rd defeat of the Premier League season, only the fourth time they have lost that often in a league campaign, after 1975-76 (23), 2009-10 (24), and 2023-24 (24).

• Burnley have lost each of their last four away league games all by a margin of 2+ goals; it's their longest losing run by two or more goals on the road in the league since January 2010 (5 in a row).

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It has been a bruising few days for Burnley.

Only eight days after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, the club announced that popular head coach Scott Parker had left his position by mutual consent.

Less than 48 hours later, this defeat to high-flying Leeds United underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two sides since their return to the Premier League.

Last May, Leeds pipped Burnley to the Championship title on goal difference after both sides amassed 100 points.

But less than 12 months on, the gap between them is far more significant - now standing at five places and 23 points.

That is because Leeds, despite a stuttering start, have emerged as one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Farke's side have won 10 of their 35 games and are all but safe from relegation.

Burnley, by contrast, have managed just four wins all season and have been stuck in the relegation zone since November.

This is not just a defeat that must serve as a lesson, but the season as a whole. Since their relegation in 2022 after six consecutive years in the top flight, Burnley have yo-yoed between the first and second tiers.

It is clear that the model Burnley and working towards has it flaws and will require significant changes in the summer if they are to not only to secure another promotion, but to re-establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Burnley's display?

Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made three changes to the side that lost against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Lucas Perri, defender Gabriel Gudmundsson and midfielder Brenden Aaronson are replaced by Karl Darlow, James Justin and Anton Stach, who returns from a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Justin; Tanaka, Ampadu, Stach; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Perri, Byram, Bornauw, Longstaff, Aaronson, James, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha

In the opposite dugout, interim Burnley manager Michael Jackson has named the same XI that lost to Manchester City in the Premier League nine days ago.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Humphreys, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman; Laurent, Ward-Prowse; Anthony, Flemming, Tchaouna

Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Florentino, Pires, Amdouni, Broja, Hannibal