Premier League 2

Crystal Palace 2 (Rak-Sakyi 48’, Spence 90’)

Leeds United 0

Leeds: Caprile, Huggins, Davis, Casey, Berardi (Cresswell 45’), Drameh, Summerville, Jenkins, Gelhardt (Kamwa 45’), McKinstry, McCarron (Kenneh 60’) Subs not used: Van Den Heuvel, Poveda.

Leeds United’s nine-match winning run was ended on Monday afternoon, as two second-half goals from the hosts saw them take all three points, against the 10 man Whites.  

The big news going into the match was the return of Gaetano Berardi. The defender started, after being out of action since the first-team win over Derby County at the end of last season. 

A quiet opening to the match saw the first piece of action occur when the referee produced his red card. Booked after just 10 minutes of the game, Crysencio Summerville was then shown a second yellow card for a coming together in the 20th minute.

That left Mark Jackson’s side playing with 10 men for 70 minutes, against hosts Crystal Palace. Elia Caprile had to be alert following the red card and did make the first save of the match moments later, before Joe Gelhardt forced Palace’s stopper in action at the other end. 

In a stop-start half full of free-kick opportunities, neither team were troubling the defences too much as they looked to find the opener. The half-time whistle went with the scores level, but Palace a man up. 

HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds United

Berardi made way at the break having come through the first 45 minutes, being replaced by Charlie Cresswell. The other change was Gelhardt making way for the introduction of Bobby Kamwa. 

Two minutes into the second half, the hosts went into the lead. Their first effort on goal cannoned back of Caprile’s post and fell straight back to the home side, who had an open goal opportunity which Jesuran Rak-Sakyi finished to put his side ahead. 

Despite being a player and a goal down, Jackson’s side were still the team doing most of the attacking. They played in their usual style and went forward, playing the ball out from the back. 

Palace were however defending well, not giving away many opportunities. The closest Leeds came to a leveller was when Leif Davis broke free down the left and lobbed the ball over Webber in the Eagles’ net, only to see the covering defender clear off the line. 

With everyone forward trying to level, Leeds were then hit on the break by Palace. Top-scorer Sion Spence found space on the left-hand-side of the box and made no mistake, placing it low into the back of the net.

That goal sealed the points for the home side and ended the impressive nine-match winning run from the Whites.

FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 2-0 Leeds United 

Venue: CPFC Academy

Booked: Boateng (Crystal Palace), Summerville (Leeds)

Sent-off: Summerville (Leeds)