Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a penalty before Gabriel Gudmundsson was shown a second yellow in a chaotic five-minute spell before the half-time whistle as Leeds and Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
As the half-time interval beckoned, a lifeless 45 minutes suddenly burst into life as Will Hughes’ curious use of his hand to defend a corner was punished with a penalty awarded to Leeds. Calvert-Lewin, who returned to the side after missing Leeds’ FA Cup win against Norwich, fired well wide of the mark.
A frantic spell quickly followed, with two decisions involving Ismaila Sarr, heaping pressure on referee Tom Bramall. The first saw the official decide against giving Jaka Bijol a second yellow for bringing down Sarr. An irate Selhurst Park raised the volume to let their opinions be known.
However, just moments later, Gudmundsson, who had already been booked for an earlier challenge on Brennan Johnson, mistimed a challenge on Sarr.
After some confusion and seemingly having to be reminded that Gudmundsson was walking a tight rope, Bramall brandished a second yellow card. A decision that Jaydee Canvot celebrated as Gudmundsson made his way back into the dressing room.
Before the dramatic spell at the end of the first half, the only moment of entertainment came from Walter Benitez’s goalkeeping. The keeper, making his Premier League debut coming in for an ill Dean Henderson, just about kept out a Calvert-Lewin header.
Leeds remained resolute despite being a man shy. Jefferson Lerma thought he had netted the winner from a well-worked Palace set-piece routine but the goal was chalked off with Johnson offside in the build-up.
And while Leeds earned a valuable point in their bid for Premier League survival, Palace recorded back-to-back home goalless draws.
More to follow…
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