Crystal Palace managed to snatch a useful point against a high‑flying, unbeaten Leeds side as Pierre Sage’s men produced a markedly better defensive performance to keep the visitors at bay and settle for a 0‑0 stalemate at Elland Road. The single point was enough to lift Sage’s squad one place above the relegation zone as the Premier League paused for a three‑week international break. Palace entered the match having leaked 11 goals in their first four league fixtures.
After a cautious first half, the team grew in confidence after the break and became the more threatening outfit. Tyrick Mitchell saw the ball cross the line, only for the goal to be chalked off for off‑side after a VAR review. Leeds, who arrived unbeaten after a commanding 4‑1 victory over Newcastle, struggled to replicate the fluid attacking display that had characterised their recent form. Dominic Calvert‑Lewin – who had found the net in each of his previous five home Premier League games – was largely left on his own, receiving very little service and eventually being denied by Walter Benítez’s reflexes in the second half.
Palace created several late‑stage chances. Adam Wharton continued to influence the game, while Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr linked up for an opening that was spectacularly saved by Tarik Muharemović, who recovered the ball and kept the scores level. Leeds responded by adding attacking options and altering their shape, but they were unable to break the deadlock.
For the first time after conceding two or more goals in each of their previous ten league outings, Palace kept a clean sheet – and they did so against a Leeds side that had scored 12 times in their last five home league matches. The result gives Sage a platform on which to build after a difficult start to the campaign. Key moments: 10' – SMART TACKLE!
Muharemović makes a vital interception to deny Jørgen Strand Larsen after Quinten Timber had slipped the Palace striker through on goal. 22' – OVER!
Ao Tanaka fires over from close range after a Leeds long‑throw created chaos in the Palace box. 31' – PALACE PUSHING! Strand Larsen, Timber and Wharton all see their efforts blocked as Palace press for a breakthrough.
53' – OFFSIDE, NO GOAL! Mitchell finds the net after Anan Khalaili’s cross, but VAR confirms Khalaili was off‑side in the build‑up. 57' – WHAT A SAVE! Benítez produces a superb reflex save to deny Calvert‑Lewin after James Justin’s cross found the in‑form striker.
71' – PENALTY APPEAL! Daichi Kamada goes down under pressure from Ethan Ampadu, but the referee waves away Palace’s protest.
83' – BIG CHANCE! Wharton’s clever pass releases Sarr into the area, but Justin recovers brilliantly to thwart the Palace substitute. 88' – PALACE OPPORTUNITY! Nketiah bursts forward after a pass from Wharton but opts to square the ball to Sarr, allowing Muharemović to make a crucial recovery.
Analysis from Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri: Crystal Palace arrived at Elland Road having conceded 11 goals in four games. They left with a clean sheet and, judging by the second‑half display, will likely feel they could have taken all three points. The performance was spirited and disciplined; after the interval the team adopted a completely different mindset and pressed Leeds effectively. Leeds, on the other hand, appeared unusually flat.
Calvert‑Lewin was starved of service for long periods and, when chances did arise, Benítez was there to make the save. In the end, the 0‑0 result reflects two sides that neutralised each other, but Palace can draw far more encouragement from the display than Leeds can. For Sage, this is the type of defensive solidity he hopes will become the foundation for a turnaround. Leeds manager Daniel Farke told Sky Sports: “You’re always 100 % happy once you win the game, and of course we wanted to win this home match after our near‑perfect start.
Football‑wise it wasn’t our best performance, but we were up against a well‑structured side. “We were a bit too loose with the ball today, especially in the final third. Our defending for the first 60 minutes was excellent, but we took more risks and the game opened up, almost like a basketball match in the end.
“It also felt like they could have snatched it in the end. It was one of those days when you don’t give your best, but you have to dig in and fight. Keeping the clean sheet and extending the unbeaten run was important, so we take the point.” Palace boss Pierre Sage said: “We worked a lot over the last week and tested our ideas on Thursday, and I think we improved progressively.
We allowed fewer chances than before. We conceded a big one, and our keeper made a huge save, so I have to congratulate Walter Benítez for that. “But at the end of the day, not only defensively but overall, I think we deserved better.” When asked whether Palace deserved to win, Sage replied: “Yes, because we created several chances and, even though we didn’t score, the VAR‑cancelled goal was off‑side, which is normal. It’s a little frustrating because the players gave a lot, and they deserve something more than a draw.
“We’ll talk about that in the future – one point is good, but we need to do it more often.” Paul Robinson on Sky Sports added: “I thought Palace were excellent after the break. Both keepers had to make superb saves, but there were few clear‑cut chances. We saw two sides cancel each other out.
Neither side lost points; both gained one. The match illustrates how a disciplined defensive approach can earn a struggling side vital points, and it sets a hopeful tone for Palace as they look to climb out of the relegation zone after a challenging opening month.
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