"Surely nowhere" - Leeds United fans on Crystal Palace win, Elland Road claim and player best yet

Leeds United signed off for Christmas with a dominant 4-1 victory against Saturday night’s visitors Crystal Palace - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say including an Elland Road claim, a record “shot to pieces” and a star’s best game yet for the Whites.

NEIL GREWER

Another fantastic night under the lights at Elland Road.

A month ago, the December fixtures filled us with dread yet now we can approach Christmas full of joy and happiness.

All four goals were set-pieces – what a contrast from a year ago. Two Ethan Ampadu long throws were headed on (by a Palace defender and Jaka Bijol) to DCL who finished with a side foot (at the second attempt) and a trademark header.

The second half gave little jeopardy, especially when Ampadu stabbed in a loose ball from a corner on the hour. Anton Stach completed the rout with a free kick in added time following the concession of a penalty conceded by Lucas Perri. A convincing, comfortable victory against another top side.

Palace had shown some slick passing moves at times in midfield but rarely threatened the goal, with the Leeds central defence dominating Palace forwards Nketiah and Mateta.

For Leeds, the starting eleven all performed to a high level, as did substitute Willy Gnonto

Once again, the atmosphere was electric with all four sides of the ground participating – surely nowhere else in England creates this fervour.

Men of the match: Ethan Ampadu, DCL, Joe Rodon and Daniel Farke.

“Arguably his best game in a Leeds shirt”

ANDY RHODES

What a performance.

With Crystal Palace having the best away record in the division this season and in the calendar year, Leeds should have had their work cut out.

After Oliver Glasner’s comments in midweek, this was a case of reaping what you sow. Despite resting his full team in midweek in anticipation of the visit to Elland Road, Daniel Farke’s men were better in all departments.

They couldn’t cope with Ethan Ampadu’s long throws, and they couldn’t track Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the area.

The game plan worked and, by the time they got one back, the game was over. Leeds did their best to make the fans nervous late on but Anton Stach’s fourth was more than deserved.

Ampadu had arguably his best game in a Leeds shirt. A league goal for him has been a long time coming, and would perhaps only have been topped by DCL completing his hat-trick.

This was one of the performances of the season and will maintain a high level of confidence.

Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu.

“Shot that record to pieces”

DAVID WATKINS

That was the performance of the season so far for me!

Leeds continue to build momentum and have now gone four (and a half) games unbeaten, including against four of the best sides in the division.

Palace arrived with this game sandwiched between a UEFA Conference League fixture that could have seen them qualify for the knockout stages and a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Arsenal.

They also brought with them the best away record in the Premier League, having conceded only five goals in eight games away from Selhurst Park. Leeds shot that record to pieces!

It was a masterclass from the Peacocks – scoring from two Ethan Ampadu long throws executed to perfection, Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbing two more goals to give him six in five games, and Anton Stach firing in a last-minute free-kick. Set-piece perfection!

Ampadu nipped in to poke home the third to cap another top-class performance by our Rolls-Royce midfielder.

The only thing that could have been better would have been to finally keep a clean sheet as we wobbled for the only time during the final 10 minutes, but, on the back of that performance, I think we can let them off! It is a Whites’ Christmas after all!

Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu.

“Just what was needed”

KEITH INGHAM

Well that was a performance to be proud of.

Daniel Farke made one change, Brenden Aaronson coming into midfield for Ao Tanaka. It might have surprised many but the American didn’t disappoint as he had a really good game.

Leeds had less possession than Palace early on but it was the home side that struck first. Ethan Ampadu, not for the first time, put a long-range throw into the box. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first effort was blocked but he netted the rebound.

It got better before. Ampadu’s long throw was flicked on and DCL made it six in five games with a fine header. Leeds should have had a penalty before the first goal but VAR didn’t give it when Aaronson was clearly found on the the edge of the area.

If the first half was good, the second half was even better. They dominated Palace and Ampadu made it three on the hour, his first goal since his double in the FA Cup a few years ago. In injury time Palace scored a penalty but Anton Stach finished them off with a superb free kick.

Eight points out of 12 is just what was needed and Leeds go into the Christmas and New Year fixtures in fine form.

Happy Christmas all.

Man of the match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a striker in form.

“A small hiccup”

MIKE GILL

Leeds finished 2025 in great style as they tore a confused-looking Palace side apart.

For the first half-hour, the game threatened to be a close and dour encounter, but up stepped Ethan Ampadu with another long throw-in.

Confusion reigned in the Palace penalty box as Chris Richards inadvertently flicked a header towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Palace keeper Dean Henderson parried the striker's first shot back towards him and the big man made no mistake with his second attempt.

At the end of the half, our captain launched another lethal long throw and, this time, Jaka Bijol's header found DCL who gratefully nodded the ball home to the delight of the crowd.

The Whites then dominated the game and Ampadu scored his first league goal for the club.

A small hiccup occurred when a mix-up between Bijol and Lucas Perri resulted in a penalty goal for Justin Devenny and a booking for Perri.

Shortly afterwards Devenny hit the post causing a minor attack of nerves for the Whites. But, as the game drew to a close, United were gifted with a free kick on the edge of the area and Anton Stach curled his shot in to produce a more realistic-looking scoreline and another happy ending.

Man of the match: Ethan Ampadu.