Leeds United   0  ​

Crystal Palace 0 

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20th September 2026. English Premier League.

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36,462.

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Argh! That is slightly disappointing on first reflection. Most Leeds fans reasoned before the game that, after demolishing Newcastle so completely on Monday, a struggling Crystal Palace should have posed no real threat to a buoyant Leeds. But this was a throwback to a Leeds United of the past that us oldies know all too well; just when you think we are in great shape and can see off average sides at a canter, we have often then put in a below-par performance and dropped points; think Sunderland at Elland Road last season, for example.

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Palace have one of the worst records of the current Premier League sides over the calendar year – only Spurs have won fewer points than the Eagles since the start of the year – but maybe they are turning a corner. They had a fine 4-0 win in the Europa League in midweek that probably boosted their confidence, and overall, they looked a half-decent outfit today, well organised and disciplined at the very least.  At the end of the day, it is another point on the board, another clean sheet – only Everton can match our meagre three goals conceded in the opening five games -, and we maintained our unbeaten start to the season; not much to complain about, really.

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It wasn't a great game, and neither side had many really decent chances. Leeds started well enough with a couple of early sights of goal: a Tarik M header over the bar and a blocked Jayden Bogle effort that struck an arm and raised a half-hearted shout for a penalty, and then Ao Tanaka had one of his wild swipes at a half volley that again only troubled the South Standers. At the other end, Timber blazed one over the top, and a weak shot by Kamada proved no worry to James Trafford. That was about the extent of the first-half goalmouth action, with both sides really cancelling each other out.

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As we’ve seen a few times now, Leeds were less effective the longer the game went on, while Palace probably smelled an unexpected win on the road. A Pino free kick needed a fine diving save from Trafford, and then Palace had the ball in our net, only to see it chalked off for a marginal but correct offside call. That was a warning, as Leeds were unlocked too easily down our left flank.

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Leeds undoubtedly had the best chance of the game, though: a low James Justin cross met perfectly by DCL only six yards out. In the form he’s been in lately, I’m sure he’ll be livid that he only managed to pick out Benitez and not the net; he should have scored. Palace then pushed late, and Kamada headed narrowly wide after a poor attempted clearance by Anton Stach. Leeds made four substitutions – Aaronson and Dan James first, and not for the first time, neither impressed. Brenden was in that mode when he gives up possession too easily, while Dan just seems to have lost his mojo – I know he’s being asked to play a sort of wing-back role, but he's been disappointing mostly this season when he’s come on. Lukas Nmecha put himself about as always, and it was good to get a first look at Jean-Matteo Bahoya for a couple of minutes at the end; he got involved straight away with a decent run that won Leeds a dangerous free-kick. Too soon to really comment on him though, but he looks the part, and for me, if he’s ready, I’d bring him on in preference to Dan if we are looking for pace out wide.

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The match stats were pretty even too, and so on the balance of the game neither side did enough to deserve all three points. Only time will tell how good or bad this Palace side is, and whether we wasted a couple of points or if it proves a decent outcome.

Leeds have had a terrific start to the season, unbeaten and with only those three goals conceded in the league, and we should remember that two of those games came against sides that look red hot judging by this weekend’s results, in Brentford and Brighton. No complaints from me, and I’m looking forward to our trip to the Emirates after the international break… not something I’ve been able to say ahead of a game with the Gunners for many years! Have a good break, folks!