Alan Shearer believes Leeds United and their fellow newly promoted sides should be “reasonably pleased” with their performances so far this Premier League season — despite the Whites’ defeat at Burnley.
Scott Parker’s side earned a vital 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Saturday, with goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna helping the Clarets climb out of the bottom three. Leeds, however, created several chances without reward, registering 21 shots and 17 efforts inside the box but failing to beat Burnley keeper Martin Dúbravka.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer insisted the result shouldn’t dent Leeds’ confidence too much and that the promoted trio — Burnley, Sunderland and Leeds — have all handled their return to the top flight admirably so far.
Shearer praises promoted sides’ home form
The former Newcastle United and England captain highlighted that strong home form will be crucial to each side’s chances of survival this season.
“It doesn’t take a genius to work it out but we all said their home form for all three of them will be really key. Sunderland winning again, Burnley beating Leeds was a massive result for them, it got them out of the bottom three.” — Alan Shearer, The Rest is Football podcast
Shearer added that Sunderland, who claimed another impressive home win against Wolves, should be “ecstatic” with their start to life back in the Premier League. He also praised the identity of each promoted club, noting that their home crowds and high-energy styles make them difficult to play against.
Burnley’s win reshapes the relegation battle
Burnley’s victory saw them temporarily climb above the relegation zone, although their position could change depending on West Ham’s result against Brentford on Monday night. Leeds, meanwhile, remain just outside the bottom three, relying on their attacking intent but still struggling to convert dominance into points.
| Match Stat (Burnley v Leeds) | Leeds United |
|---|---|
| Possession | 69% |
| Shots | 21 |
| Shots Inside Box | 17 |
| Goals | 0 |
source: Opta match data – 20 October 2025
The stats underline Leeds’ attacking intent but also their wastefulness — a theme they’ll need to fix quickly to avoid being pulled into a deeper relegation fight. Burnley, by contrast, made the most of limited possession (31%) to secure three vital points.
Our View: Leeds can take positives despite defeat
In our view, Leeds’ performance at Turf Moor wasn’t as poor as the scoreline suggests. They created enough chances to win the match, but Burnley’s discipline and clinical finishing made the difference. Scott Parker’s side look increasingly resilient, while Leeds’ high-tempo pressing continues to cause problems for opponents.
If they can convert their chances, Daniel Farke’s team have enough quality to stay clear of danger. Sunderland’s progress also shows what momentum can do for a newly promoted club — something both Leeds and Burnley will look to replicate.
Analyst Verdict
I think Shearer is spot on — it doesn’t take a genius to see how home form will decide this relegation fight. Turf Moor, the Stadium of Light and Elland Road are already proving difficult places to visit, and that foundation could be the difference come May.
As FootballPlace analyst John William puts it: “Leeds didn’t play badly; they just lacked a cutting edge. If they keep performing like that, the results will come.”
Key Insights
- Alan Shearer says all three promoted clubs should be “reasonably pleased” so far
- Burnley beat Leeds 2-0 thanks to goals from Ugochukwu and Tchaouna
- Sunderland continue to impress with another home victory
- Shearer emphasised the importance of home form for survival
- Leeds had 21 shots and 69% possession but failed to score
What’s Next
Leeds return to Elland Road to face West Ham United on 26 October, aiming to bounce back from the Burnley defeat. Farke’s men will look to turn possession into goals as they push for mid-table stability.
Burnley, meanwhile, travel to Wolves, hoping to build on their momentum and stay above the drop zone.
👉 Are Leeds United’s performances under Daniel Farke good enough to keep them in the Premier League this season?
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