Leeds United fans are enjoying their Premier League return — and it seems academy star Harry Gray is just as tuned in to the Championship drama as the rest of them.
Coventry City and Frank Lampard saw their Premier League dreams shattered in brutal fashion on Tuesday night after a dramatic 121st-minute winner from Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard sent the Black Cats through to the play-off final. With the tie seemingly headed to penalties, Ballard’s last-gasp header sealed a 3-2 aggregate win, leaving Lampard visibly gutted on the touchline.
And while the Stadium of Light erupted in celebration, Leeds fans found a different reason to smile — thanks to young Harry Gray’s subtle but telling reaction.
The Leeds forward liked a post on Sportbible’s Instagram showing Ballard’s wild celebrations next to a crestfallen Lampard. The post referenced the heartbreak for Coventry and their manager, and Gray’s interaction didn’t go unnoticed by the Elland Road faithful — many of whom still remember Lampard’s infamous play-off triumph with Derby County in 2019, following the height of the Spygate controversy.
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That semi-final loss still stings for Leeds supporters, making Lampard something of a pantomime villain at Elland Road. Gray’s social media nod, though small, was enough to reignite the rivalry and delight fans who have long memories of that fiery clash.
Leeds, meanwhile, are more than happy to be out of the play-off lottery this year. After briefly slipping into play-off danger back in March, Daniel Farke’s side regrouped to clinch automatic promotion and avoid the chaos that defines the post-season scrap.
As Coventry lick their wounds and Lampard faces yet another setback in the play-offs, Leeds march back into the top flight — with a little side-eye from Harry Gray to remind everyone exactly where his loyalties lie.
