By Our Man at Elland Road
THERE is nowhere quite like Elland Road when the lights are on and the Leeds faithful are in full voice—and Crystal Palace found that out the hard way last night.
In a stadium that felt more like a pressure cooker than a football ground, Leeds United didn’t just beat the Eagles; they dismantled them 4-1. The historic West Yorkshire venue was shaking from the first whistle, proving once again why it remains one of the most intimidating pits in world football.
From the moment the “Marching on Together” anthem finished echoing around the stands, Daniel Farke’s men looked like a side transformed by their home surroundings. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the man who has become the new darling of the Don Revie Stand, spearheaded the charge.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when an Ethan Ampadu long throw—a weapon that haunted Palace all night—was poked home by Calvert-Lewin at the second attempt. If the noise was loud then, it became deafening in first-half stoppage time.
Jaka Bijol flicked on another Ampadu rocket, and there was DCL to nod home his second, sending the home support into a delirium that lasted well into the interval.
The second half was a victory lap for the Whites. In the 60th minute, the skipper himself got in on the act.
Ethan Ampadu pounced on a loose ball after a corner to stab home his first-ever Premier League goal for the club. He celebrated right in front of the raucous Leeds supporters, a moment that felt like a true homecoming for the midfielder.
Palace, who looked leggy after their European exploits in midweek, offered little in response.
They did manage to spoil the clean sheet in the 92nd minute when Justin Devenny tucked away a penalty after a rare lapse in the Leeds box.
But the final word belonged to the hosts. Deep into the eleventh minute of added time, Anton Stach stepped up to a 20-yard free-kick and curled a beauty past a rooted Dean Henderson.
As the final whistle blew, the Elland Road roar could likely be heard as far as Pudsey.
This wasn’t just three points; it was a statement. Leeds are six points clear of the drop, and if they keep playing like this in their own backyard, they won’t be looking back.
