Leeds United fought tooth and nail to earn a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace despite being down to 10 men for the entire second-half. Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent off after Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a penalty but Daniel Farke’s side stood tall.
After a relatively scrappy opening 40 minutes the game sprung into life but just about everything went against Leeds. First, Calvert-Lewin dragged a penalty wide before Gudmundsson was shown a highly controversial second yellow card, with referee Thomas Bramall seemingly forgetting he’d booked the Swede earlier.
Farke made two half-time changes and decided to sit in for the point, defending brilliantly and frustrating their hosts who saw a Jefferson Lerma goal ruled out for offside. Leeds continued to defend their goal brilliantly, with Palace failing to register a single shot on target and the spoils shared.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Below are his Leeds United player ratings...
1. GK: Karl Darlow
8 - There with excellent reflex saves when needed, came and punched when the chance arose and his kicking was decent. | AFP via Getty Images
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2. RWB: James Justin
8 - Tried to get forward in the first half, without much joy, but dug in after the break and the red card. Defended well | AFP via Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
8 - Played the right wing-like role well in the first half, delivering a wicked cross. Second half almost all about defending, which he did well. | AFP via Getty Images
4. CB: Jaka Bijol
7 - A somewhat shaky first half, in which he was booked. Recovered in the second half. | AFP via Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
8 - Defended his box well and caused problems in the opposition box. At least one good flick on that his team failed to capitalise on. Used the ball well. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
6 - Got forward and delivered a couple of half-decent crosses but wasn't at his fluid best. Unlucky to be sent off for two yellows, the second of which was questionable. | AFP via Getty Images