Leeds United look to be on their way back after a turbulent decade which saw them drop to the third tier of English football.

The Yorkshire club were relegated from the Premier League back in 2004, but since then have only managed a high of fifth in the second tier, and were even relegated from that back in 2007.

Three seasons in League One followed before promotion in 2010, and since then they have been in and around the middle regions of the Championship, but this season appears to be different.

Garry Monk’s men are fifth at Christmas having won 12 of their 22 league games, including seven of their last nine, and are two points ahead of seventh place Derby County, who are just outside the play-off positions.

Monk’s men travel to Preston on Boxing Day before going to Villa Park on December 29, as the former Swansea boss looks to lay the foundations for a prosperous 2017.

In what has been an improving time for Leeds, we thought we’d take a look back and review their year, and thus have selected their top THREE goals of the 2016…

Lewis Cook vs Fulham (February 23)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNXpkpyW2Ws

Steve Evans’ Leeds fell behind early to a Tom Cairney goal against Fulham back in February, but they weren’t behind for long thanks to a stunning hit from Lewis Cook.

The 19-year-old midfielder netted his first goal for the club when he picked up the ball midway inside the Fulham half, only to take two touches before firing an unstoppable strike past Andy Lonergan.

Although they weren’t able to go on and get the win, Cook’s goal certainly galvanised the hosts, and no wonder.

What a hit!

Stuart Dallas vs Birmingham City (April 12)

Leeds visited Birmingham on April 12 having lost three of their preceding four games, but a Stuart Dallas-inspired display secured the three points at St Andrew’s.

His first came when he fired home from the edge of the box in the first half, but it was his second, just five minutes after half time, which was something special.

The Northern Ireland international reacted quickest to Chris Wood’s flick-on, getting a toe on the ball before then striking it on the volley past the stranded Adam Legzdins in the Birmingham goal.

The home side did get a goal back through Clayton Donaldson, but Dallas’ wonder strike proved to be the winner, and rightly so as it was a sensational finish.

Chris Wood vs Fulham (August 16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrQajPXAi3Q

Leeds have been much improved in the Championship this season, and their first point of the campaign came courtesy of a fine bit of skill from Chris Wood.

Garry Monk’s men were a goal down at home to Fulham, but in the 93rd minute Chris Taylor whipped a cross into the Fulham box, which was met by a forward header from Kyle Bartley.

And it was Wood who reacted quickest when, back to goal, he produced an excellent overhead kick to level the scores.

It clinched their first point of the campaign, and since then they haven’t looked back, as they sit fifth in the table at Christmas.