Premier League

Crystal Palace 2 (Edouard 24’, Eze 76’)

Leeds United 1 (Struijk 10’)

Palace: Guaita (GK), Ward (C), Guehi, Olise (Hughes 85’), Ayew (Milivojevic 65’), Eze, Zaha, Schlupp, Andersen, Edouard (Mateta 86’), Doucoure (Mitchell 65’). Subs not used: Johnstone (GK), Tomkins, Ebiowei, Riedewald, Gordon. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Koch, Cooper (C), Aaronson (Klich 76’), Roca (Gelhardt 84’), Bamford (Summerville 62’), Harrison, Adams, Rodrigo, Struijk, Kristensen (Ayling 84’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Llorente, Gyabi, Gnonto, Greenwood.

Venue: Selhurst Park

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Paul Tierney

Booked: Doucoure, Guehi, Olise (Palace) Struijk, Kristensen (Leeds)

Despite going into an early lead at Selhurst Park, Leeds United suffered defeat away from home against Crystal Palace in this Premier League encounter. 

The first half started at a quick pace and the Whites were on top early on. The pressing and intensity forced a mistake in the Palace backline, as goalkeeper Vicente Guaita struggled to control a powerful back pass, meaning the ball found Jack Harrison who in turn played Patrick Bamford, but the striker couldn’t take advantage. 

However, inside the opening 10 minutes the early pressure would pay off. A moment of genius from Brenden Aaronson created the goal, as he weaved his way through multiple bodies, before curling an effort against the post. On the rebound, Pascal Struijk was alert and remained composed to fire into the back of the net to put Jesse Marsch’s side ahead. 

Leeds kept up the early pressure and were still creating plenty. Tyler Adams broke free in midfield and played Bamford in on goal and United’s number nine forced an excellent diving save from Guaita, who kept the score as it was. 

Palace then began to get a foothold in the match and equalised, with just under 25 minutes played. A free-kick wide on the right was played in by Michael Olise, finding the head of Odsonne Edouard who powered a header into the ground which then bounced high, into the back of the net. 

Set-pieces were then becoming common on both sides, with small fouls taking place. The previously booked Cheick Doucoure was given a final warning after committing another foul, whilst Marc Guehi followed his teammate into the book when dragging down Bamford who was racing clear. 

That was to be it for chances and cards before the interval, in what had been an entertaining half in South London, as the two teams went into the dressing room on level terms. 

HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United

The second half started with more of the same, as both teams set out from their half-time discussions looking to go out and win the match. 

The first big chances came the way of the home side as Jordan Ayew found space in the box to shoot, but a superb sliding challenge from Rasmus Kristensen deflected the effort over the bar.

From the following corner, Joachim Andersen had a header saved, then moments later Olise had a curling effort on goal stopped again by Illan Meslier.

Each head coach went to their bench just after the hour mark, making a change in the forward line. After offering plenty of hard-work all game, Bamford was replaced by Crysencio Summerville, whilst Patrick Vieira swapped Ayew and Doucoure with Luka Milivojevic and Tyrick Mitchell. 

After a period of very few chances in the match, with 15 minutes remaining the home side went into the lead. A quick bit of one-touch play around the box created a chance for Eberechi Eze who struck low into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 

After the goal, there were very few further chances as Palace held onto their advantage, frustrating the Whites until the full-time whistle to claim the three points.

FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds United