LEEDS: Leeds United’s Jack Harrison scored early before striker Patrick Bamford reached the 100 goals milestone to lift the Yorkshire side into the top half of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday.
It was a first home win this year for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who have still lost more games than they have won at Elland Road this season, and nudged them up to 10th on 32 points from 22 games.
“After being out of the league for 16 years it is important for a club like Leeds to get a footing and build from that,” Bamford said. “This is no more than we’ve deserved. It bodes well for the future of Leeds.”
A first clean-sheet since Dec 29 was another welcome boost for Bielsa after six games without keeping the opposition at bay.
Palace, who won their last away game at Newcastle United but had to do without injured talisman Wilfried Zaha, remain in 13th place, three points behind Leeds having played a game more.
Palace arrived in freezing West Yorkshire riding two straight league wins but was a clear second best for most of the match.
Leeds were quick to punish Palace for allowing too much space on the edge of the penalty area when Harrison’s well-struck shot deflected in off Gary Cahill in the third minute.
Leeds made another fast start to the second half. Raphinha’s thumping shot was well saved by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and Bamford followed up to turn home the rebound from eight yards.
Current standings
(Tabulated under played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Manchester City 22 15 5 2 43 14 50
Manchester United 23 13 6 4 49 30 45
Leicester City 23 13 4 6 39 25 43
Liverpool 23 11 7 5 44 29 40
Chelsea 23 11 6 6 38 24 39
West Ham United 23 11 6 6 34 28 39
Everton 21 11 4 6 34 28 37
Tottenham Hotspur 22 10 6 6 36 22 36
Aston Villa 21 11 2 8 36 24 35
Leeds United 22 10 2 10 38 38 32
Arsenal 23 9 4 10 27 23 31
Southampton 22 8 5 9 29 37 29
Crystal Palace 23 8 5 10 27 39 29
Wolverhampton Wanderers 23 7 6 10 23 31 27
Brighton & Hove Albion 23 5 10 8 25 30 25
Newcastle United 23 7 4 12 25 38 25
Burnley 22 6 5 11 14 29 23
Fulham 22 2 9 11 17 31 15
West Bromwich Albion 23 2 6 15 18 54 12
Sheffield United 23 3 2 18 15 37 11
Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2021