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By @ed_mcintyre98.
Leeds United returned to winning ways on Monday evening as they defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Elland Road to jump into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since October
The hosts got off to a perfect start, taking the lead inside the first three minutes of the game when Jack Harrison's deflected effort hit the back of the net.
Patrick Bamford scored his 100th career goal seven minutes into the second half when he tapped in a rebound after Guaita saved Raphinha's effort.
It was a comfortable night where Leeds could've scored a lot more, but two goals were all the Whites needed to secure their first home win since December, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier keeping his seventh clean sheet of the season.
Marcelo Bielsa named an unchanged starting line-up from the side that lost at home to Everton last time out. The only change to the 20-man squad saw Pablo Hernandez be replaced by 18-year-old forward Joe Gelhardt on the bench due to a muscle problem.
Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson made two changes to his Palace team that won away at Newcastle United. Striker Michy Batshuayi made way for January signing Jean-Philippe Mateta to make his debut, while Tyrick Mitchell replaced top scorer Wilfred Zaha who is out with a hamstring injury.
Leeds were quick out of the blocks in the early stages of the game, putting Palace under immense pressure. The Whites managed to make that pressure count as they scored the opener inside the first three minutes.
The goal came after some neat play from Leeds United on the right. Mateusz Klich gave the ball to Stuart Dallas on the inside who played it to Jack Harrison whose shot deflected off Palace defender Gary Cahill and into the back of the net.
United came close to scoring a second soon after when Patrick Bamford met Alioski's cross with his head, but his effort was saved well by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita who got down quick by his near post.
Bamford then created himself another golden opportunity when he intercepted Luka Milivojević's pass, poking the ball past Cahill to create a one on one situation but he blasted his shot well over the bar.
Defender Pascal Struijk had two great chances of his own before half-time. Raphinha's free-kick from the edge of the box found Struijk who was unmarked just a few yards from goal, but his header was way off target.
Then moments later, Kalvin Phillips crossed the ball into Struijk but the 21-year-old again headed the ball well wide of the mark despite being in plenty of space in the six-yard box.
A huge let-off for Crystal Palace, who were fortunate to go into the break behind by just one goal.
Half-time score: Leeds United 1-0 Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson brought Andros Townsend on for Patrick van Aanholt at the break in an attempt to give Palace more threat going forward, but the visitors found themselves 2-0 down just seven minutes into the second half.
Kalvin Phillips intercepted Scott Dann's pass in midfield, with the ball falling to the feet of Klich. Mateusz Klich then played a neat through ball to Raphinha whose effort forced Guaita into a save, but unfortunately for Palace, Bamford followed up the rebound and stroked the ball home to score his 100th career goal.
Not only was that Patrick Bamford's 100th career goal, but it was also his 33rd goal for Leeds and his 12th of the season.
Crystal Palace created a good opportunity to pull a goal back when substitute Michy Batshuayi teed up Eberechi Eze in the box but he blazed his shot way over the bar.
Leeds had a good chance late on to make it 3-0 when Nathaniel Clyne gave the ball away to Jack Harrison, but the crossbar denied him his second goal of the night and his seventh goal of the season.
It turned out to be a comfortable evening in the end for Leeds United as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 to secure their first win at Elland Road since December.
The three points move Marcelo Bielsa's side 17 points clear of the relegation zone and into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time since October. Leeds are now in great stead as they head into Sunday's clash with Arsenal away at the Emirates Stadium.
Full-time score: Leeds United 2-0 Crystal Palace
MATCH INFORMATION
Leeds United vs. Crystal Palace
English Premier League
20:00 Monday 8th February 2020
Elland Road
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Meslier (GK), Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Alioski, Phillips (Shackleton 88'), Raphinha, Klich, Dallas, Harrison, Bamford. Unused substitutes: Casilla (GK), Cresswell, Davis, Jenkins, Costa, Huggins, Roberts, Gelhardt.
Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Guaita (GK), Clyne, Dann, Cahill, Mitchell, Eze, Milivojević, Riedewald, van Aanholt (Townsend 45'), Mateta (Batshuayi (65'), Ayew (Benteke 76'). Unused substitutes: Butland (GK), Kouyate, Kelly.
Referee: Andre Marriner
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