This was the 1st round of midweek Premier League games and another crucial game for Leeds as they looked to get away from near the bottom of the table, against a Crystal Palace team who have been playing well this season, so could Leeds get just a 2nd home win this season?
Leeds kicked off in 17th 3 points above the relegation zone, Crystal Palace kicked off in 11th.
It was played at Elland Road under the floodlights
After 4 minutes, James had a right footed shot from outside the box blocked, then he had a right footed shot from left side of the box blocked.
Four minutes later, Raphinha’s left footed shot outside the box blocked.
Just before the quarter hour, Ayew had a right footed shot from outside the box was blocked.
On the quarter hour, Raphinha did a powerful run to the right byline, and Forshaw had a left footed shot outside the box which was close but missed to the right.
A couple of minutes later, Ayew got past Cooper on the right and his low cross was cleared behind for a corner, Gallagher’s delivery was poor. A minute later, Struijk bundled Ayew over in the box, but VAR agreed with the referee and no penalty.
Three minutes later, a great run to edge of the box by Schlupp, but his show lashed just wide of the left post.
A couple of minutes later, Phillips powered forward for Leeds, and into the box but his shot fired wide of the near post.
After 36 minutes, a lofted ball looked for James’ run in the box, but he couldn’t bring it down.
The last meaningful first half action came five minutes before halftime as Raphinha was chopped down by Gallagher for a freekick in a dangerous area on the right side of the box, Raphinha’s freekick was high, wide and not handsome.
Halftime score: Leeds United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Leeds edged the first half, but Palace had chances too, could either side get the goal that would them give 3 vital points?
After 49 minutes, Gallagher’s freekick hit the wall, then Zaha skied the rebound.
Four minutes later, Raphinha played a great ball over the top which released James, but his ball didn’t have enough to find an unmarked Rodrigo in the box.
Two minutes later, Rodrigo got free on the left byline, but his pullback somehow evaded all team mates in the box. Then two minutes later, Forshaw was found in the box after good buildup by Leeds, but his deflected shot was straight at Guaita.
Just after the hour mark, Phillips had a shot from edge of the box which was deflected through to Guaita.
Three minutes later, James went in for 2 crunching tackles, before Forshaw shot from long range high over the bar.
With fifteen minutes remaining, a gaping miss by Palace as they broke quick which ended with Zaha finding Benteke who was unmarked with a hung up cross to the far post, but somehow Benteke headed wide of a gaping goal.
Four minutes later, Raphinha’s quickly taken freekick caught Palace out, but Firpo’s ball into the box cleared for a corner, but Dallas’ cross from the left was nearly deflected into his own net by Tomkins at the near post. Then at the other end, Palace broke and nearly led after a mistake by Meslier who nearly got beat by Benteke’s weak strike, but Meslier raced back and dropped on the ball in the goal line.
After 83 minutes, nice deft touch by Hughes released Benteke but he curled a shot wide of the right hand post.
Six minutes later, Roberts turned well on the left edge of the area, but his curled shot straight at Guaita.
Leeds penalty claim
In the 1st minute of stoppage time, Leeds had a late corner, swung in from the left and Guehi cleared Raphinha’s cross behind for a corner, Leeds wanted a penalty for handball and the referee was told to go to the monitor by VAR to look at a possible handball.
Leeds penalty and 1st goal
In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Leeds were awarded the penalty and Raphinha kept his cool from 12 yards to give Leeds a late, late goal.
Fulltime score: Leeds United 1-0 Crystal Palace
It was dramatic and Leeds created more chances in the 2nd half, but they got a crucial three points for their 3rd win of the season.
The win took Leeds up 2 places to 15th on 15 points.
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsMom0EE0-I
Next for Leeds is another home game at Elland Road on Sunday 5th December 2021 as they face Brentford with a 2pm kickoff.
