Premier League 2

Leeds United 4 (Summerville 3’, 56’, 89', McKinstry 68’)

Crystal Palace 0

Leeds: Van Den Heuvel (GK), Sutcliffe, McCarron, Mullen, Cresswell (C), Jenkins (Dean 75’), Summerville, Kenneh, Gelhardt (Gray 37’), Greenwood (Joseph 63’), McKinstry. Subs not used: Christy (GK), McGurk.

Palace: Whitworth (GK), Boateng, Adaramola, Wells-Morrison (C), Quick, Watson, Omilabu (Banks 58’), Phillips, Gordon, Kirby (Robertson 58’), Rak-Sakyi. Subs not used: Sanneh (GK), Steele, Hannam. 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 4,768

Referee: Adam Herczeg

Booked: Jenkins, McKinstry, Sutcliffe (Leeds) Quick (Palace)

Leeds United’s Under-23s put in a brilliant display to claim all three points against Crystal Palace, with Crysencio Summerville netting a hat-trick and Stuart McKinstry also finding the net in the four-goal hammering of the Eagles. 

The Whites got off to the perfect start under the lights of Elland Road in front of another excellent crowd, who were treated to an early stunner from Summerville. The winger cut in from the wing and curled a beautiful effort into the top corner to put his side ahead. 

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞 (𝑁𝑜𝑢𝑛)
𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴: pic.twitter.com/nRqLsvdObq

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 4, 2022

Following the goal, both teams then exchanged possession and half-chances for the opening 10 minutes or so in the match, neither goalkeeper were called into action during that time. 

Palace’s first chance on goal came from Noah Watson. A dangerous free-kick into the middle picked Watson out and he flicked his header wide of the post. Down the other end, McKinstry’s deflected strike forced Joe Whitworth into a low save. 

Just after the half-hour mark, the Whites would be forced into a change as Joe Gelhardt went off and was replaced by Archie Gray, who had netted a stunner against Manchester United Under-23s in his last appearance at Elland Road. 

With half-time approaching, Leeds had a big chance to further extend their lead through Sam Greenwood. Summerville won the ball high up the pitch and played in his teammate, but the forward’s effort was deflected wide. 

Greenwood would have an even better chance moments later in a first half that had seen Andy Taylor’s side create plenty. Inside the area, the top-scorer so far this season steadied himself before firing over the bar when well placed. 

That would be the end of the chances inside the opening 45 minutes, meaning the Whites would take a one-goal advantage into the dressing room. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Crystal Palace 

The Whites came out in the second half looking to carry on in the same way they had played in the first. Racing clear through the middle and beating the outrushing keeper to the ball, Summerville rounded the Palace stopper before hitting the side netting from a narrowing angle.  

However, just a few minutes later, the winger wasn’t to be denied his and Leeds United’s second of the night. Again, it was in stunning fashion, this time Summerville cut in on his left-foot and arrowed a strike into the top corner to double the lead. 

🚀 "He's done it again! Unstoppable!" pic.twitter.com/2ixUdizvS6

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 4, 2022

Alert down the other end as Palace looked for a way back into the game, Dani Van Den Heuvel was called into action and made a stunning fingertip save to deny Killian Phillips who had flicked a header towards the far post. 

Two soon became three in a performance that was scintillating under the floodlights of Elland Road, with one-touch interplay throughout and plenty of chances which had the home crowd singing.  

Nohan Kenneh was found in midfield with some space and after collecting the ball he raced forward and timed his pass to perfection when looking for Stuart McKinstry, who then calmly finished into the bottom corner to make it three on the night.  

🙌 "One end to the other!"
🤩 "Kenneh to McKinstry!" pic.twitter.com/9Gx2ekhxX7

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 4, 2022

Taylor’s side continued with their domination as they looked to go in search of more goals. After being introduced from the bench in place of the hard-working Jack Jenkins, Max Dean tested Whitworth with a curling effort from the edge of the area. 

A performance which had been superb throughout saw a fourth goal added to the scoreline in the closing stages, and a more than deserved hat-trick on the night.

Summerville refused to give up on a long ball over the top and forced Whitworth into a mistake when rushing out of the visiting goal. The winger collected the loose ball and showed composure to slot into the empty net from 35-yards out to claim the match ball. 

🔥 "There's your hat-trick Crysencio!" pic.twitter.com/rVuiDGrpMq

— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 4, 2022

The fourth goal was to be the final action of a pulsating second half, meaning all three points lifted Leeds into 10th place in the Premier League 2 Division One table. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-0 Crystal Palace