Calvert-Lewin Leads Leeds to Victory Over Crystal Palace
Dominic Calvert-Lewin extended his scoring streak to five Premier League matches with an impressive brace, leading Leeds United to a convincing victory over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
The 28-year-old striker netted two goals late in the first half, providing Leeds with a comfortable lead at halftime. Captain Ethan Ampadu then added to the scoreline with his first goal in the English top flight shortly after the hour mark.
Although Justin Devenny managed to pull one back for Palace with a stoppage-time penalty, Anton Stach sealed the win for Leeds with a free-kick in the 11th minute of injury time.
Leeds, who previously defeated Chelsea and earned draws against Liverpool and Brentford this month, started the match on the front foot, with a penalty appeal for a foul on Brenden Aaronson in the box being turned down.
Leeds finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Ampadu's long throw-in was inadvertently flicked on by Chris Richards. Calvert-Lewin's initial shot was saved by Dean Henderson, but he converted the rebound to score the opener.
Calvert-Lewin then doubled his tally in first-half injury time, heading home a cross from Ampadu, who again showcased his throwing ability.
After the break, Ampadu made it 3-0, finishing from close range after chasing down a header from Aaronson following a corner.
Devenny's penalty came after a foul by Lucas Perri on Christantus Uche, and he nearly scored again shortly after when his shot hit the woodwork.
However, deep into injury time, Stach scored from a free-kick awarded after Borna Sosa fouled James Justin at the edge of the box, capping a significant win for Daniel Farke's side.
With this victory, Leeds remains unbeaten in four matches, moving six points clear of the relegation zone with 19 points, while Palace slips to eighth place with 26 points after 17 games.
Leeds Analysis: Calvert-Lewin's Heroics Instill Confidence
Leeds United fans arrived at Elland Road on Saturday eager to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin continue his scoring form, and they left satisfied. The striker, who had scored four goals in his previous four matches, including a standout performance against Chelsea, has reignited hope among the Leeds faithful.
His resurgence has alleviated some pressure on manager Daniel Farke, who shifted from a possession-based 4-3-3 formation to a counter-attacking 3-5-2 three weeks ago, a change that seems to have inspired the team.
Leeds started strong, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk threatening from set pieces, but it was Calvert-Lewin who made the decisive impact. By scoring in five consecutive Premier League matches, he joined an elite group of Leeds players, including Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Calvert-Lewin's first league double since November 2020 against Fulham helped secure a dominant win over Palace. With a six-point gap separating Leeds from the relegation zone, Farke can now focus on climbing the table rather than worrying about relegation.
Palace Analysis: Continued Struggles Post-European Fixtures
Crystal Palace's difficulties in the Premier League following their European commitments have been well-documented. The team faced added scrutiny after a heavily rotated side drew 2-2 with Finnish champions KuPS just 48 hours earlier, complicating their already tight schedule.
Despite reverting to their first-choice lineup, the defeat at Leeds only compounded their challenges. Palace has now failed to win a league match following a Conference League fixture in seven of eight attempts this season.
The match began positively for Palace, with Eddie Nketiah forcing a sharp save from Lucas Perri. However, as the game progressed, they struggled to contend with Ampadu's throw-ins and Calvert-Lewin's physicality.
Devenny's late introduction provided some spark, but it was too little too late. Palace's depth will be tested in the coming weeks as they navigate a congested schedule of eight matches in just 23 days.
Upcoming Fixtures
Leeds United will travel to the Stadium of Light to face fellow newcomers Sunderland on Sunday, December 28, at 14:00 GMT. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will play Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, December 23, at 20:00 GMT, before returning to Premier League action against Tottenham on Sunday, December 28, at 16:30 GMT.