Leeds march into the top ten with a win over Palace

A smothering display from Leeds United saw them glide to a 2-0 victory over a Zaha-less Crystal Palace.

The Eagles continued their unfortunate record of being winless when missing their star attacker, and couldn’t have got off to much of a worse start at a wintry Elland Road.

Three minutes in, a low driven strike from Jack Harrison took a nasty deflection and soared straight over the head of Vicente Guaita to put his side ahead. It was the sixth goal of the season for the on-loan winger that continues to improve and impress in the Premier League.

Leeds were comfortably on top for the bulk of the game, but many feared that their flurry of missed chances in the first half would come back to bite them as it had done so many times in the past.

Patrick Bamford came close with a handful of chances. The first was a well-placed header from an exquisite Ezgjan Alioski’ cross, the brilliance of the move matched only by the excellent save from Guaita. Bamford would have a chance with a header yet again several minutes later, but couldn’t quite get enough power behind his effort.

The in-form striker’s best chance of the first half came just after the 20^th minute. Dispossessing Gary Cahill on the halfway line, Bamford thundered down the pitch, only to balloon his one-on-one effort well over the bar. Cahill seemed to struggle for the entire game, and not just with Bamford.

Raphinha’s display, particularly, was exceptional once again, the tricky Brazilian turning and nutmegging Palace players as he pleased, winning several free-kicks for his side.

The winger had a superb game, as did skipper Liam Cooper. The Whites’ captain has seen his fair share of criticism since his debut for Leeds, let alone since their ascension to the Premier League. Hushing the doubters, however, was Cooper once more, whose defensive performance and sheer passion for the club he captains are things to truly envy.

Partnering the Scottish international in defence, once more, was Pascal Struijk, who continues to better himself with each appearance. The Ajax youth graduate had several great chances, two of which came in the first half.

The youngster should have scored both attempts in truth, but his movement and positioning are continuing to improve, something fans should be, and are, greatly excited by.

Palace were a weak eleven in the first half and, in truth, for the entire game. It seemed as though they were passing to Eze and hoping for the best, with a few Jordan Ayew strikes breaking the norm.

Offensively, the side noticeably lacked the flair that Zaha so often brings, whilst a partnership of Cahill and Scott Dann at centre-back were in desperate need of a pace injection to cope with the press of Leeds United.

United entered the break a goal to the good, but had been wasteful of several chances that should have put the game to bed long before the half time whistle. Palace were tremendously lucky to only be down by one goal in a game that was calling for three or four for Leeds.

Palace brought on Andros Townsend for the second half, hoping he would provide the pace that Zaha usually brings them. Soon after another impressive example of defending by Cooper, blocking Ayew, Leeds would go up the other end and finally get their second.

A powerful Raphinha strike was well parried by Guaita, but it fell nicely for Bamford, in front of an open goal. It was the 12^th goal of the season for the striker who has been a different breed of player since returning to the Premier League.

The game was truly decided from that moment. Palace would come close with a couple of occasions, noticeably Eze’s efforts towards the end, a player who was heavily relied upon by the Eagles. Leeds once more could have raised the deficit, had Harrison’s effort not come crashing off the bar in the 85^th minute.

A comfortable win for Leeds United sees them rise to 10^th, a seventh clean sheet for Illan Meslier in a truly marvellous team performance. Leeds play Arsenal on Sunday and hold a game in hand over the Gunners, so a nice run of results could see United further distance themselves from the bottom half of the table. Whilst relegation is highly unlikely, fans will not be content until it is mathematically impossible. Regardless of such, Leeds fans have much to be excited about for the future.

Palace may have suffered a defeat, but still sit 13^th after a solid showing throughout the season so far. Their astonishingly poor record without Zaha goes on, however, and Palace supporters can only hope that their side return to winning ways sooner rather than later, and with a home game against Burnley next, that is entirely possible.