"Wow man!" - Leeds United stars react to Ilia Gruev Oxford United message | OneFootball

The Whites’ midfielder took to social media to celebrate a crucial three points.

Leeds United recorded an all-important, yet slender win against Oxford United on Good Friday.

The win took them back to the top of the table on goal difference after Burnley also bagged all three points against Watford earlier in the day.

Midfielder Ilia Gruev, who played all 90 minutes of the tense affair at the Kassam Stadium, marked the importance of the victory on Instagram following the game.

With Premier League promotion now firmly in sight, Gruev’s Leeds United teammates joined him on social media to celebrate.

Leeds United stars flock to Ilia Gruev’s Instagram

Following the win, Gruev posted to his official Instagram account: “Another huge step towards our BIG GOAL 💥⚽️”

He was instantly showered with love by the Leeds faithful for his contribution to the win, including the men who had joined him on the pitch for the encounter.

“Wow man! 🔥,” was full-back Junior Firpo’s response, with defender Pascal Struijk, currently sidelined with a foot injury, simply adding: “GRUUUEEVV”

Jayden Bogle, who supplied the assist for Manor Solomon’s winner, Mateo Joseph and the players' union, the PFA (Professional Footballer's Association), all left emojis under the post to praise Gruev’s role in the win.

Gruev quietly important to Leeds’ progress

Playing in a deeper midfield role is rarely a task that will get supporters off their feet, or steal headlines after the game, but they are the players sides turn to in tight games like this one, where a result is crucial.

Part of Gruev’s role is to screen the back four to reduce the pressure on the defensive unit. Stats suggest that the Bulgarian, along with those around him, couldn’t have done much more towards that aim.

Leeds reduced Oxford to just two shots on target, no big chances and 33 per cent of the ball.

Gruev’s own stats reveal he won eight duels throughout the game and had a pass accuracy of 83 per cent, showing just how vital he was for winning and retaining the ball, reducing the opportunities Oxford had to cause any damage.

The pressure is only just starting for Gruev and Leeds

The result put Leeds at the top of the Championship, but only on goal difference.

More nerve-racking encounters are around the corner, few more so than Easter Monday’s game against Stoke City at Elland Road.

The Whites know that if they win that, and second-placed Burnley defeat Sheffield United, a place below them, it will confirm promotion to the Premier League for both Leeds and the Clarets.

After the heartbreak of last season, Daniel Farke’s side are now in touching distance of sealing that all-important return to England’s top tier.

Few, if any, sides have been better than Leeds in the Championship this season, but the Potters will not be an easy opponent: they’re undefeated in their last five second-tier games.

The Whites will enter the clash as firm favourites, but the pressure on their shoulders will be intense. At the end of the 90 minutes, there could be even more for Gruev and his colleagues to celebrate on Monday night.