Leeds secure hard-earned point at Crystal Palace
Leeds United moved five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone following a fiercely contested goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
In a scrappy, sometimes bad-tempered clash Wilfried Zaha came closest to scoring but saw his powerful shot well held by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
England midfielder Conor Gallagher also fired a half-volley narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the area as Leeds secured their second successive clean sheet.
The visitors offered little as an attacking threat with a Liam Cooper header straight at home goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and a shot from substitute Joe Gelhardt their only efforts on target.
In the last 10 minutes Zaha twice had attempts blocked by the legs of Meslier as Leeds held on for what could prove to be a valuable point.
The result leaves Leeds – who play Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next three games before ending the season with matches against Brighton and Brentford – in 16th place on 34 points, although 18th-placed Everton, on 29 points, have a game in hand.
League leaders Manchester City are one point above Liverpool and travel to Elland Road on Saturday, with Leeds boss Jesse Marsch calling Pep Guardiola’s side the “biggest Goliath in football in the world”. However, Marsch said his side would not play with any fear, adding: “I know a little bit about the way Pep likes to play. We will try to create an aggressive gameplan but one that can also help us find a way to get a result.
“I know what this game will require and how good the opponent is, but, whatever, let’s go for it.”
Only bottom-of-the-table Norwich City (69) have conceded more Premier League goals this season than Leeds’ 68 but in the seven games since Marsch replaced the sacked Marcelo Bielsa in February, the American has turned Leeds into a team that is hard to beat. Aided by superb defending, with Cooper and Diego Llorente repeatedly making crucial blocks, tackles or interceptions, Leeds will feel they got the point their hard work merited, and, with a tough run of fixtures coming up, will be happy with the result.
For Palace, who lost in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley earlier this month, the draw takes them on to 38 points and surely secures what will be a 10th successive season in the top flight. The match at a packed and passionate Selhurst Park was played at a frenetic pace throughout, but with both sides repeatedly lacking quality in the final areas. The hosts had an early chance when Leeds failed to deal with a ball forward and Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta got to it before the advancing Meslier but did not get enough power on the shot and Llorente was able to clear.
Mateta also headed at Meslier and another opportunity saw him unable to get a clean connection on Jordan Ayew’s superb cross from the right wing.
BBC