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Leeds hosted Crystal Palace and both are in desperate need for a result. Matete started this match for Crystal Palace and he partnered up front with Jordan Ayew. There is no Wilfred Zaha this time and that already sensed trouble for Palace because Palace hasn't won 18 of their last games when they played without Zaha. They always struggle without him and the onus rested on Ayew to deliver the goods with the new boy, Matete.
Two veteran managers go head to head on the night with Bielsa and Hodgson. Bamford started for Leeds and he is already on 11 goals while hoping not just to add to his goals but to make a landmark of 100 career goals.
Crystal Palace got on the back foot so early on with pressure from Leeds United. The pressure paid off in the 3rd minute when a bad pass gave Leeds the advantage. A pass found Harrison who wasted no time in driving into the box. He released a shot that found the back of the net via a deflection. It was a good start for Leeds and also for Harrison who got his 6th goal for the season.
Bamford should have added to the lead when an inviting cross found him in the 10th minute but it was a difficult angle. He got a touch but the goalkeeper saved it. It was a great effort.
Bamford had a loan spell with Crystal Palace back in the day and he characterized his time there as terrible. His attitude tonight showed he wanted to prove a point. He had another chance in the 22nd minute when he knocked the ball past Gary Cahill. He raced for the goal and shockingly, he blazed it over. How he missed that was shocking and maybe if he tried not to impress, he would have been calm with his chances.
Palace had a shot on target too when Ayew's effort in the 36th minute was easily saved. It was straight at the goalkeeper. He was trying to take charge of the team in the absence of Zaha.
A minute after, Raphinha left Cahill for dead with a brilliant skill but a freekick was given which Struijk headed over from a brilliant Raphinha cross. Struijk also had another glancing header go wide in the 43rd minute. He knew he should have done better and he was angry with himself. Raphinha became a constant threat to Palace and they had no response to him.
The half time whistle went with Leeds ahead. They hoped to see the game through to keep their first clean sheet of 2021.
Raphinha had a shot saved in the 52nd minute but Bamford cooly gathered the rebound and slotted it home to make it 2-0. He finally got his 100th career goal on the night and he could have easily gotten another 3 minutes after but his tame effort had no power and the goalkeeper easily saved it.
In the 67th minute, Batshuayi did absolutely well to keep the ball in. He found Eze and he agonizingly shot far above the crossbar. Shocking. It was a brilliant play from Batshuayi but it wasn't matched with the same brilliance by Eze.
Another loose ball from Palace happened in the 83rd minute. Harrison gathered it and his thunderous shot rattled the crossbar instead. It was very close and a let-off for Palace.
The game ended in favour of Leeds who played at home on a night Palace didn't turn up and were completely outplayed. The Man of The Match clearly was Raphinha. He was exceptional and sensational on the night.
Leeds displaced Arsenal in 10th place and Arsenal slipped down to 11th place.
I have been particularly impressed with Leeds ever since they kicked the first ball in the Premier League after promotion. They have never been scared and would take the game to you even if they got beaten. They give their all and fight to the end even if you keep hammering them with goals. That attitude kept them up till now and it is impressive to see a team that just won promotion go up to 10th in the Premier League. This is a good testament to their work ethic and of course, the amazing work that Marcelo Bielsa is doing. What a team they are.
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