Leeds United picked a key point away at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace failed to break down the visitors on Monday night.
In the context of the relegation battle, Jesse Marsch will gladly take the point earned at Selhurst Park. But the American manager would have liked all three, considering who Leeds United play in their next three games. Despite coming into this game as the more in-form team of the two, the Whites were pushed back for most parts.
Crystal Palace had dropped down a few places recently, courtesy of their sub-par form since beating Arsenal earlier in April. However, Patrick Vieira’s side were the busier of the two teams at Selhurst Park, although Wilfried Zaha & co. could not break down the visitors, who held on until the final whistle.
The game was a fiery affair, as matters boiled at different stages. There were a few VAR calls and controversial decisions along the way. But in the end, a draw could be judged as a fair result. Crystal Palace seemed like a team in a hurry to reach the magic number of 40 points which may eventually guarantee their safety, but they may have to wait another week to achieve it.
As for Leeds, they will take the one point with open arms, despite facing a daunting task with their next three fixtures, where they meet Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea. It is difficult to see them taking anything from those games, and they may only achieve limited success from the remaining outings against Brighton and Brentford afterwards. Here’s how the players fared as Leeds United were held to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park by Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace
Vicente Guaita: 6/10
Guaita manoeuvred the game without too many issues, as he was not the busier goalkeeper on the evening despite Leeds’s attackers constantly keeping him on his toes with their explosive counters.
Nathaniel Clyne: 6.5/10
Clyne has grown into his role in the last few weeks and learnt the balancing act between attack and defence. He displayed a similar tactic against Leeds, as he was on hand to play a part in the final third, but aware of swift counter-attacks from Leeds.
Joachim Andersen: 6/10
Andersen produced a composed performance as he, like the rest of the backline, was able to deal with the pacey Leeds attack and was aware of the counter-attacking tactics deployed by the visitors. He picked up a needless booking at the stroke of half-time.
27 – Since Crystal Palace's return to the Premier League in 2013-14, only Manchester United (30) have played out more goalless draws in the competition than the Eagles (27). Stalemate. pic.twitter.com/Tsiu2KL3WI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 25, 2022
Marc Guehi: 7/10
A solid display from Guehi, who was tidy in possession. There were many balls sent to wide areas from the centre-back, who continued with his consistent performances from the back.
Joel Ward: 6/10
Ward was playing on the opposite flank and still was able to deal with the double threat of Raphinha and Daniel James with authority. There were a few nervy moments, but he was solid in the final third.
James McArthur: 7/10
A surprise starter to begin with, considering he only returned to full training after considerable time out of the game. He produced a robust display in midfield as he matched Kalvin Phillips to seize control of the ball.
Absolutely everywhere ?
You voted James McArthur as yesterday's Man of the Match ?#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 26, 2022
Conor Gallagher: 6/10
This was another game where Gallagher seemed to wield his influence from deep, and despite having some positive moments, the English midfielder was unable assert himself to change the outcome of the contest.
Jordan Ayew: 4.5/10
Barring that one great chance created for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the first half, Ayew was more of a passenger in the game. He did try to hold the ball well in the wide areas but lacked the cutting edge to become the game-changer.
Eberechi Eze: 3/10
The lack of starts maybe had an effect, as Eze was not as influential to change the game’s outcome. He could not deal with Leeds’s physicality at the back, as the visitors constantly kicked him out of the contest. Moreover, there were many problems with his delivery, and things did not click for him.
Wilfried Zaha: 7/10
Zaha was a constant threat that kept Leeds’s defenders on their toes. He was a force in the last part of the game, as he took a few snapshots at Meslier’s goal, although he could not find a way through.
?? Wilfried Zaha vs. Leeds
• 5 shots on target
• 8 successful dribbles
• 3 key passes
• 4 tackles won
• 4 fouls won
• 7 ball recoveries
• 16 ground duels won
• 19 duels won
• 100% aerial duels won (3/3)Wow. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/KaHdwQDhz6
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) April 25, 2022
Jean-Philippe Mateta: 7/10
Mateta continues to keep Crystal Palace’s other forwards out of the lineup, as his physical presence is more of an asset to Vieira. The striker’s movements and presence caused all sorts of problems at the back and missed one good chance in the first half to open the scoring.
SUBSTITUTES
Michael Olise: 6/10
He should have started ahead of Ayew, and this might be the case in the next game, as Olise made an instant impact by carving out a chance seconds after coming on.
Jeffrey Schlupp: N/A
Barring a few attempted runs around the box, Schlupp did not have the desired impact.
Christian Benteke: N/A
Benteke was sent on to have a say, replacing the tired Mateta, but the Belgian did not have the time to impact the scoreline.
Leeds United
Illan Meslier: 6/10
Meslier was the busier of the two goalkeepers, as he dealt with many dangerous balls, especially during the last part of the game. He will be thankful to Crystal Palace’s attackers and their wayward finishing, making him look comfortable dealing with the few goal attempts.
? Man like Illan! pic.twitter.com/XZdQtmeOm0
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 26, 2022
Luke Ayling: 7/10
Ayling was seen playing in every possible position on the field, as the defender was always attempting to find a spark to start attacks. At the back, he was robust enough to deal with the threat of Mateta and Zaha.
Diego Llorente: 6/10
An assured performance from the Spaniard, who was kept on his toes due to the home side’s dominance of the ball. He produced a bad challenge on Gallagher in the second half, and many would consider he got away with it.
? Liam Cooper made 7️⃣ recoveries as @LUFC and Crystal Palace drew 0-0 last night. #LUFC #MOT @gmipower pic.twitter.com/Y9CAzyFLBM
— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) April 26, 2022
Liam Cooper: 7/10
Cooper’s presence makes Leeds more solid at the back and they sorely missed the centre-back when he was not available. He defended well and dealt with the physicality of Mateta, who did get free on occasions, but without causing any real danger.
Stuart Dallas: 5.5/10
There were some nervy moments for Dallas to deal with as he was constantly caught out with long balls from his flank. As far as dealing with Ayew was concerned, it was comfortable for the full-back.
⬆️ Leeds move five points clear of the relegation zone pic.twitter.com/6ugc1uIo7I
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2022
Mateusz Klich: 5/10
An anonymous display from the Polish midfielder. He was rightly taken off at half-time for a more robust option in Robin Koch.
Kalvin Phillips: 5/10
The England international found it tough to get any control of midfield, with Gallagher and McArthur running the show. There were a few moments of brilliance, but apart from that, Phillips did not do anything to be the game-changer here for Leeds.
Raphinha: 5/10
There were some flashy moments from Raphinha, including a nutmeg on Joel Ward, but beyond that, he was not given much room to make anything in the attacking third.
Rodrigo: 5/10
A quiet display from the Spaniard, who was not allowed to influence the game in any way by a robust Palace backline.
Jack Harrison: 6/10
Harrison provided the direct approach Leeds needed, although his decisions to take a few wayward shots were frustrating.
Daniel James: 4/10
James possesses immense energy levels and leads the press with determination, but he is not a striker. Marsch’s idea to play in the leading role is understandable, but he does not have the qualities to lead the line and hold the ball for other players who may be suited to a forward with those attributes.
SUBSTITUTES
Robin Koch: 6/10
A solid display after coming on at half-time. He did well to give Leeds better control of the midfield.
Sam Greenwood: 4.5/10
Greenwood replaced the ineffective James and floated about as he could only deal with a few half chances falling at his feet.
Joel Gelhardt: N/A
Gelhardt made not impact after coming on as Leeds were focused on defending rather than starting attacks.
