An impressive Crystal Palace swept aside Leeds United 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday in the Premier League, with Ebere Eze scoring a wonderful free kick.
The Eagles opened the scoring on 12 minutes through Scott Dann, the defender climbing highest to power home a header from a set piece. But the away side thought they had equalised just five minutes later through Patrick Bamford, but his wonderful finish was ruled out controversially for offside.
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— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 7, 2020
Instead, Palace doubled their lead on 22 minutes as Eze netted a stunning free kick. But Leeds did pull one back, with Bamford's goal this time not being ruled out. Palace restored their two-goal lead just before half time, however, as Helder Costa turned the ball into his own net. The Eagles extended their lead on 70 minutes through Jordan Ayew to seal the points.
Right, let's get into some player ratings, shall we? Oh, go on then!
Crystal Palace
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Vicente Guaita (GK) - 6/10 - Wasn't really tested all that often, but comes away from the game without a clean sheet.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB) - 6/10 - Solid performance from Clyne, working well with Townsend to keep Leeds quiet down the left. Continuing to build his confidence.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CB) - 6/10 - It is important to remember that Kouyate isn't a central defender, yet he has continued to deliver and looks very comfortable, playing with real maturity.
Scott Dann (CB) - 7/10 - A third successive Premier League start for Dann, and he put in a strong display. Led the line excellent and scored an outrageous header to give his side the lead as well.
Patrick van Aanholt (LB) - 7/10 - How important is Van Aanholt to Palace? The answer? Very. As well as keeping Helder Costa quiet by his standards, the left-back got forward time and time again, forcing the mistake for the third goal.
2. Midfielders
Andros Townsend (RM) - 6/10 - Another typically hard-working display down the right from Townsend, not allowing the Leeds players the chance to find spaces to work in. Showed his quality when possible on the ball as well.
Jairo Riedewald (CM) - 7/10 - Very solid display in the centre of the park, breaking up play and then linking up well with his teammates. Spectacular display? Hardly, but Riedewald is becoming a very important player in the heart of this Palace team.
James McArthur (CM) - 6/10 - Like Riedewald, it was a no-nonsense display from McArthur, constantly chasing and closing down to force mistakes. Kept his side ticking over well as well.
Ebere Eze (LM) - 8/10 - Not a bad way to open your Premier League account, eh? It was an inch perfect free-kick, but more broadly, his movement caused all sorts of problems all afternoon. Excellent.
3. Forwards
Jordan Ayew (FW) - 7/10 - Sure, he may not be the most glamorous forward in the Premier League, but Ayew is a crucial to the way Palace play. Linked play well and acted as the first line of the press when out of possession.
Wilfried Zaha (FW) - 8/10 - Seems to be able to influence the game much more when operating in a more central position with Ayew supporting him, as he has the freedom to roam and pick up pockets of space. Best player on the park.
4. Substitutes
Jeffrey Schlupp - 6/10
James McArthy - 5/10
Christian Benteke - N/A
Leeds United
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Illan Meslier (GK) - 5/10 - It's been a tough week for Meslier with regards to the amount of goals he has conceded, but if we're being completely honest, he couldn't have done much about any of Palace's goals.
Luke Ayling (RB) - 4/10 - Struggled to deal with the threat Palace posed down the left, particularly through Van Aanholt. Couldn't really find much space to exploit when going forward either.
Robin Koch (CB) - 4/10 - When Wilfried Zaha is in the mood, he is a very hard player to defend against - and Koch found this out. Wasn't a bad performance, but simply couldn't deal with the Palace attack.
Liam Cooper (CB) - 4/10 - Made a few clumsy tackles, but looked to rally his team to get them back into the game. This proved unsuccessful, however.
Ezgjan Alioski (LB) - 5/10 - The best of the Leeds defenders, putting in a number of good challenges and linking play well.
6. Midfielders
Helder Costa (RM) - 3/10 - It's safe to say it wasn't his finest afternoon, was it? Was kept very quiet in attack, scored an own goal and to cap it all off? He was hooked at half time. Ouch.
Pascal Struijk (CM) - 4/10 - Operating at the base of the Leeds midfield, Struijk was unable to really influence the game in any real way. Missed a good chance to pull one back early in the second half as well.
Stuart Dallas (CM) - 4/10 - In Leeds' fluid system, Dallas operated in a more central role, keeping his side ticking over and looking to build attacks. Didn't do much if we're being honest.
Mateusz Klich (CM) - 6/10 - Picked up some clever positions and most things positive wen through him. Provided the assist for Bamford's goal and was constantly looking to make things happen.
Jack Harrison (LM) - 5/10 - A quiet afternoon for Harrison, who was available time and time again throughout the game - but wasn't picked out. A frustrating afternoon.
7. Forward
Patrick Bamford (FW) - 7/10 - We're still not sure how his first goal was ruled out for offside, but he wasn't denied a second time. It was a ruthless finish to bring Leeds back into the game, but they failed to find a way back into the game.
8. Substitutes
Raphinha - 5/10
Tyler Roberts - 5/10
Source : 90min