Leeds United extended etheir brightest run of this promotion season to four matches unbeaten via a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Saturday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice to give him six goals in his last five Premier League games, Ethan Ampadu scored his first PL goal for Leeds, and Anton Stach scored a gorgeous free kick in the win.
WATCH — Leeds v Crystal Palace full match replay
Justin Devenny’s late penalty ruined Lucas Perri’s clean sheet.
Daniel Farke’s men pull six points clear of the bottom three with 19 points, while Palace lose for a second-straight game and remain in eighth with 26 points. A win would’ve boosted them fifth.
What’s next?
Leeds go to Sunderland at 9am ET Sunday, then head to Liverpool for a 12:30pm kickoff on New Year’s Day.
Palace head to Arsenal on Tuesday in a League Cup quarterfinal, then host Spurs at 11:30am Sunday, December 28.
Leeds vs Crystal Palace final score: 4-1
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 38', 45+4', Ethan Ampadu 60', Justin Devenny pen 90+2', Anton Stach 90+11'
Leeds vs Crystal Palace live updates
Anton Stach free goal — Leeds 4-1 Palace
Initially a penalty call that VAR corrected to a free kick just outside the box, Leeds get a gorgeous goal from one of their stars.
Anton Stach spins the ball just over the wall, where it curls delightfully back toward the near post to restore Leeds’ three-goal lead.
Justin Devenny penalty goal — Leeds 3-1 Palace
The Eagles get one back in the second minute of stoppage time thanks to their Northern Irish taker.
Ethan Ampadu goal — Leeds 3-0 Palace
The captain gets his first Premier League goal for Leeds.
Aaronson nods a partial clearance back toward goal, Bijol gets a small touch on it, and Ampadu gets through the mass of bodies to poke past Henderson.
Halftime — Leeds United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Break up Leeds, they’re too strong.
They’ll be six clear and unbeaten in four if they can make this lead stick through the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal — Leeds 2-0 Palace
The red-hot Englishman sniffs out a brace.
A huge throw is flicked back across goal by Jaka Bijol, and Calvert-Lewin shakes free of Adam Wharton to stab the ball over the line.
Leeds threaten again
A cute pass from Aaronson meets Anton Stach’s run down the right. His cross is only cleared as far as Pascal Struijk 25 yards out from goal, and a low drive is blocked out for a corner.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal — Leeds 1-0 Palace
A free kick is nodded back across goal by USMNT man Chris Richards and Calvert-Lewin beats Mitchell to the ball.
He’s got his fifth goal in five games after collecting his own rebound and putting it home after Dean Henderson blocked the first bid.
Fair enough, you almost have to say.
Tyrick Mitchell off the hook
USMNT winger Brenden Aaronson turns away from Tyrick Mitchell in the front right corner of the 18 and gets cleaned out by the Palace back.
No call on the field, and VAR has a long look and somehow says no penalty.
Palace attack
Eddie Nketiah takes the ball atop the arc and drills a low shot that requires intervention from Leeds keeper Lucas Perri.
0-0 now into the 20th minute.
Leeds tails up
The hosts are enjoying a bit of possession and have the match’s only three shot attempts through 19 minutes.
Leeds lineup
Perri, Bogle, Gundmundsson, Rodon, Bikol, Struijk, Ampadu, Stach, Aaronson, Okaford, Calvert-Lewin
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Clyne, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta
Leeds vs Crystal Palace preview
Daniel Farke’s men have were unbowed by a brutal run of fixtures and took four points from home matches versus Chelsea and Liverpool before hitting the road for a draw at Brentford in Week 16. The three-match unbeaten run in Premier League play is their longest this season.
Palace are coming off a home loss to Manchester City, and they find themselves winless in their last three Premier League home games. Granted the opposition has been solid in a 0-0 draw with rivals Brighton & Hove Albion before losses to Manchester United and Manchester City, but those dropped points at Selhurst Park are keeping them from a top-four spot.
Oliver Glasner’s future is in question by his own accord as Palace seek to sign him to a new contract, and the fact that the Eagles are two points out of the top four while playing into the League Cup quarterfinals with Conference League duty also on the docket is impressive. They will, however, will be without Ismaila Sarr for the next few weeks as AFCON begins in Morocco.
Leeds team news, focus
OUT: Sean Longstaff (calf), Daniel James (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Lukas Nmecha (calf)
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Ismaila Sarr (international duty - AFCON), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Daniel Munoz (knee), Caleb Kporha (back), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Rio Cardines (adductor) | QUESTIONABLE: Chadi Riad (knee)
Leeds vs Crystal Palace prediction
This could go in either direction, as Palace play the kind of game that Leeds will welcome. Elland Road has been in fine voice of late and you can sense that Daniel Farke’s men understand the occasion alongside their supporters. Another point away from the drop zone? Leeds 1-1 Crystal Palace.
How to watch Leeds vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Saturday
Venue: Elland Road — Beeston
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
