Leeds United are no strangers to unwanted records in recent years.

A victory over Cardiff City in 2015, courtesy of an Alex Mowatt screamer, was a first at Elland Road in eight (yes, EIGHT) months. Every team will go through their own traumas but Leeds United seem to have their fair share.

Just a day after our former striker, Kemar Roofe, saw red for planting a boot in the face of the opposition, Leeds United put the proverbial boot into the much-publicised London hoodoo.

A mere 39 months since the previous victory in the capital, United triumphed over relegation-threatened Fulham to as good as secure another year of top flight football for Leeds.

Who’d have thought that the 3-1 win at Loftus Road in 2017 would be the last in London of the decade? Ironically, it was Roofe who bagged a treble that day.

In all honesty, the performance at Craven Cottage merited much more than the slender 2-1 win. It wouldn’t be Leeds United without having at least the threat of a late twist to the tale.

Players would be lying if they said that the London record had never played on their minds. They’ll also have known that the match with Fulham was their final opportunity to break the run before the season reaches a conclusion. 

This season alone left you thinking we were forevermore destined to lose in London. Even a point had proved elusive.

Crystal Palace were up first this season. On paper, this game certainly falls into the ‘winnable’ category. Scott Dann’s early goal from a set piece dampened the mood somewhat.

Minutes later though, parity restored. Bamford’s deft flick from Klich’s through ball brings the whites back level. In fact, never mind. Patrick’s armpit was offside – goal overturned.

Take two: Klich releases Bamford in the box and he buries it with aplomb. Can we celebrate this time? We can – the goal stands.

All that hard work was then undone by both the sublime and ridiculous. First, Eze rifles a free kick home via the crossbar. Then a seemingly hopeless cross clips Costa and, from the tightest of angles, squirms it’s way into the net. 

Ayew goes on to bag a fourth and fans are left scratching their heads as to what happened and how.

Our second attempt to end the wretched run in London started brilliantly. Bamford opened the scoring early on at his former club, Chelsea. Fast forward to the closing stages and Pulisic tapped home to seal a 3-1 win. Maybe the elusive win comes next time.

Onto round three in our London fight. Another bright start was made, this time at Tottenham.

Son and Kane would, naturally, go on to demonstrate the clinical touches that we’d unfortunately lack. The final score reads 3-0.

Arsenal are the next opponents. The FA Cup defeat in the previous season showed the world that Leeds could certainly mix it with the big boys. Arteta’s men sat beside us in the table going into the game and had the feel of a side that were there for the taking.

45 minutes in and four goals down, here we go again. Goals in the second half from Struijk and Costa prove to be just consolation goals.

Game four was a trip to West Ham. The Hammers have been having an excellent season. Maybe this could be viewed as a fairly free hit to break the dreaded curse.

Tyler Roberts nets his first goal of the season, only to be denied by VAR. It’s not going to be our day is it?

The ball is in the net again. Bamford tucks the ball home first time at the near post. VAR again cuts the joy short, spotting that the ball had marginally gone out of play in the build up.

Penalty to West Ham... SAVED by Meslier. The rebound is slotted home – the icing on the cake. A second goal arrived and unsurprisingly, it was a corner kick that yielded the opportunity.

It all comes down to Fulham.

Terrible home form and months spent in the relegation zone sound like the perfect combination for an away victory. If we don’t end the curse now, will we ever?

Like Ayling sends a looping header into the far corner and it’s a dream start. Scratch that – Roberts had a shoulder offside. Thanks again, VAR. Luke Ayling let his hair down for nothing.

Harrison sends in a first-time cross and Bamford buries it first time in near identical fashion to the disallowed strike at the London Stadium. This one counts – HALLELUJAH.

We’re dominating proceedings and Fulham are offering little in attack so you know what happens next. Lookman swings in a corner. Andersen beats Ayling to the punch and diverts the ball past Meslier who stands no chance.

In a bizarre turn, Leeds receive a slice of luck in the second period when Lookman makes a total hash of his strike inside the area when it seemed easier to score.

Less than a minute later, Phillips burgles Lemina in midfield. The ball runs for Bamford who lays in Raphinha. On his right peg, the Brazilian squeezes home his shot at the near post.

To the surprise of most Leeds fans, who will have expected a sucker punch like the one that came in the first half, the final half hour passes relatively scare free.

Finally, Leeds come away from London with something in the bag. Not even just one point, Leeds were travelling back to Yorkshire with all three. 

The solitary point to come in 16 league visits to London prior to March 19th 2021 (remember the date) was that season-defining 1-1 draw at Brentford in 2020.

Cooper has spoken of how that day proved pivotal in achieving promotion. Let’s hope this latest result can bring about similar success.