Leeds dominated the opening exchanges but were continually thwarted by heroics from Palace keeper Sam Johnstone and only had a fine Patrick Bamford header to show for their efforts for a 1-0 lead. The Eagles then equalised in first-half stoppage time as Marc Guehi beat Illan Meslier to a close range finish from a set piece after the visitors had earlier been denied by the post.
But the Whites were then absolutely blitzed after the interval as Palace netted twice in two minutes to go 3-1 up approaching the hour mark through strikes from Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze. United’s afternoon then got even worse as an Odsonne Edouard strike and second goal from Ayew brought up the Eagles nap hand as Elland Road emptied by the minute.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a real game of two halves at LS11 that has left Leeds fifth-bottom and only two points clear of the drop zone.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a real game of two halves at LS11 that has left Leeds fifth-bottom and only two points clear of the drop zone.
![5 - Couldn't give Leeds the protection they needed in transition moments. Tried to get a foot in at least.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY3YmQ4ZmU3LThhMDMtNDBiNC1hMjA3LWY0MGRkNTQ0ZWE2MjowOGEwNmU2Yy0xYjljLTQ2MDktYTJjYi03MTYzZjBmYTM1NGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Weston McKennie
5 - Couldn't give Leeds the protection they needed in transition moments. Tried to get a foot in at least.Photo: Stu Forster
![5 - Some nice football in the first half when Leeds had their tails up but minimal impact in the second.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmExMjkyZTYxLWQzMDctNGVjNy1iNWZiLWExMDRmYWZlYTg0Mzo4MzUwYjVmZC0wN2RjLTQ3N2EtYjQzMC1lNjYxMGJjNGEyZDk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Jack Harrison
5 - Some nice football in the first half when Leeds had their tails up but minimal impact in the second.Photo: Alex Livesey
![4 - A good start, posed a menacing threat on the left and linked up really well but disappeared from the game.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk1ZGY1NWUxLTYxOTgtNDRmZS1iNDNkLWMzMTc3NWY0YWY2Nzo0Nzc5NTQ1Yi0wMTg3LTRiMmEtOGVmMi0wNDdmZTNjODAwMTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Luis Sinisterra
4 - A good start, posed a menacing threat on the left and linked up really well but disappeared from the game.Photo: Stu Forster
![4 - Some good set-piece deliveries, took up promising positions but lack of strength on the ball was a problem once again.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYzYzY4ZTU1LWY0ZTktNDMzZC04ZjM2LTQ2YzM0YjAwMzNhYzpiYzBlZGU2OC0zY2U4LTRiZGYtOWNjNC02MDdhYzM0ZWFjNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. Brenden Aaronson
4 - Some good set-piece deliveries, took up promising positions but lack of strength on the ball was a problem once again.Photo: Matt McNulty
![5 - Took the goal well, linked up well in the first half. Second half nightmare made the game impossible for the front man to make an impact.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdhNTZhZGVjLTdlNTktNGRhZS1iNjA2LTY1YTdiNDI3NDZjZTpmNzczZWQ0NS1iMjg1LTQxNjAtYjQwOC1hY2FkZGQwMDEwOTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Patrick Bamford
5 - Took the goal well, linked up well in the first half. Second half nightmare made the game impossible for the front man to make an impact.Photo: Stu Forster
![4 - No real impact. Tried to drop in to get the ball but to no real effect.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI3ZGM5MzYzLWQ2MDYtNDlmNC1hMjAzLWQxODQ4YjdlNjNlOToyZTEyOWU0OS04YTA5LTRjZjQtYmRiMi01ZDg1YzI5MWZhNGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
12. Rodrigo (sub)
4 - No real impact. Tried to drop in to get the ball but to no real effect.Photo: Matt McNulty