Report and reaction: Scintillating Palace hit five at Elland Road

The atmosphere at Elland Road is always intense, and it took some time for Palace to acclimatise as Leeds cranked up the pressure. Sam Johnstone – making his first Premier League start for the club – was by far the busier of the two ‘keepers, and saved well to keep the scores level.

The hosts found the breakthrough, however, as Patrick Bamford’s superb header cannoned off the inside of the post and in. It looked as though it wasn’t to be Palace’s day – but then came the most remarkable of turnarounds either side of half-time.

The equaliser came just seconds before the break, as Marc Guéhi reacted quickest to Ebere Eze’s free-kick delivery and showed the predatory instincts of a striker to prod home. Then, with Palace emerging after half-time with renewed vigour, Jordan Ayew completed the turnaround from a wonderful Michael Olise delivery.

Olise was to have a hand in everything Palace created and was a constant scourge for the hosts, setting up Eze two minutes later to give the Eagles breathing space. Liberated by the scoreline, they began to produce some scintillating football.

Olise completed his hattrick of assists soon after, picking out Odsonne Edouard to smash home a fourth with his weaker foot. It was the finish of a man full of confidence, and a sign of Palace’s team spirit under Roy Hodgson.

The scoring wasn’t over, however, as Jordan Ayew added a second of his own to make it five, slamming home from close range after Will Hughes’ shot deflected into his path.

It made for a remarkable afternoon at Elland Road, but amidst the free-scoring Palace performance and the tumbling records came three vitally important points.

Palace: Johnstone (GK), Ward (Clyne, 87), Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Doucouré (Milivojevic, 80), Schlupp (McArthur, 80), Eze, Ayew (Mateta, 80), Edouard (Hughes, 74), Olise.

Subs: Whitworth (GK), Tomkins, Riedewald, Lokonga.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling, Firpo (Kristensen, 60), Koch, Aaronson (Gnoto¸60), Roca, Bamford, Harrison, Struijk, Sinisterra (Rodrigo, 60), McKennie.

Subs: Robles (GK), Forshaw, Cooper, Summerville, Rutter, Greenwood.

Refresh this page periodically for all the latest action from Elland Road.

Full-time

90+4 mins

WOW.

Scintillating, electric, astonishing, magical performance from Roy Hodgson’s men. What a turnaround.

Five goals and three vital points.

90+1 mins

We are into FOUR minutes of added time.

89 mins

Loud ‘Oles’ are greeting every Palace touch of the ball.

Chance!

86 mins

It’s almost six and Michael Olise almost has his goal.

It would have been a Goal of the Season contender, too, as he rounds four defenders before striking over the crossbar.

Substitution

79 mins

Both managers make changes in the wake of that goal.

Off comes Bamford for Leeds, replaced by

Hodgson makes three changes, with James McArthur, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Luka Milivojevic coming on for Cheick Doucouré, Jordan Ayew and Jeff Schlupp.

GOAL!

Leeds 1-5 Palace (Ayew)

77 mins

OK, this is getting silly now.

Palace have a fifth and are on course to equal their biggest-ever Premier League win, as Will Hughes’ shot deflects into the path of Ayew to slam home.

Once again, VAR has a look at it to check for offside, but it stands, and the Eagles are in dreamland.

Substitution

74 mins

A first change for Palace, as Will Hughes replaces Odsonne Edouard.

71 mins

It’s fair to say some Leeds fans have seen enough, and Elland Road is a lot emptier than it was 10 minutes ago.

GOAL!

Leeds 1-4 Palace (Edouard)

70 mins

OH MY GOODNESS ME.

Palace have carved Leeds open again, and it’s a hattrick of assists for Michael Olise.

This time he feeds Edouard, who takes a touch to steady himself before picking out the bottom corner – with his weaker foot.

This is a vintage Palace display.

67 mins

The home crowd are not happy here as Palace keep possession, and a hurried Leeds counter attack breaks down.

Substitutions

61 mins

Javi Gracia has seen enough and decides to shake things up.

Off go Firpo, Aaronson and Sinistrra and on come Rodrigo, Rasmus Kristiensen and Wilfried Gnoto.

59 mins

Firpo is down receiving treatment for a knock to the head, which is allowing everyone to catch their collective breath after a wild five-minute spell

Edouard saw a shot blocked shortly after Eze’s goal – Palace were rampant.

GOAL!

Leeds 1-3 Palace (Eze)

56 mins

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!

Palace are purring – Roy Hodgson’s side are ripping Leeds apart with some wonderful football!

Two goals in three minutes and the game has turned entirely on its head. Olise is at the centre of it all once again, skipping away from two defenders before sliding a ball through to Eze who pokes home.

Elland Road is stunned into silence.

GOAL!

Leeds 1-3 Palace (Eze)

56 mins

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!

GOAL!

Leeds 1-2 Palace (Ayew)

53 mins

JORDAN AYEW – PALACE HAVE TURNED IT AROUND!

Palace have been superb since the break and they have their reward. It’s a stonker of a goal, too, as Michael Olise’s superbly shaped cross is met by Ayew in the air, who nods powerfully into the bottom corner.

Yellow card

50 mins

Well now, this is one of the more bizarre decisions you will see.

Joel Ward’s perfectly timed challenge sees Palace regain possession, until the referee’s whistle stops them in their tracks and Ward is booked. He connected cleanly with the ball first and made very little contact with Bamford – Roy Hodgson is furious on the touchline.

48 mins

Excellent start as Jordan Ayew makes progress down the left and crosses, but it’s blocked behind. Palace looking confident.

Kick-off

46 mins

The players are back out and we’re back underway – can Palace complete the turnaround?

15:00

How good has this man been so far?

Half-time

45+3 mins

There goes the half-time whistle.

For all of Leeds early dominance, Palace have grown into the game and find themselves back on level terms.

Marc Guéhi with the predatory instincts of a striker to prod home, and it’s all to play for!

GOAL!

Leeds 1-1 Palace (Guéhi)

45+1 mins

PALACE ARE LEVEL JUST BEFORE HALF-TIME!

Eze swings a free-kick into the penalty are which Schlupp heads on, and Guéhi reacts quickest to poke it home.

It’s a tight one and VAR has a look for offside, but he’s level.

Yellow card

44 mins

Oof, that’s a nasty challenge.

Marc Guéhi shows excellent composure to bring Palace forwards, and finds Eze who in turn picks out Olise. The Palace man skips inside his marker and is brought down late on, with Firpo earning a yellow card.

Olise tries his luck from the resulting free-kick, but it’s easy enough for Meslier.

40 mins

Another fine save!

Sam Johnstone is keeping Palace in this match as he springs to his right to push Struijk’s shot away.

33 mins

That’s more like it!

Edouard races in behind and gets a shot away. It’s blocked, but Schlupp tries to turn it back into the six-yard box where it’s knocked behind.

From the resulting corner, Jordan Ayew makes contact but his glancing header drifts narrowly wide.

29 mins

It's struck by Harrison and looks to be heading for the bottom corner, but Johnstone gets down well to push it behind.

Another important save.

28 mins

Danger for Palace, as Leeds win a free-kick on the very edge of the penalty area.

Harrison and Aaronson stand over it.

Chance!

24 mins

Palace have responded well and Ayew’s wicked ball in is deflected behind.

From the corner, Jeff Schlupp finds himself unmarked six yards out but his headed effort strikes the inside of the post and is cleared away.

The second corner is met by Ayew as Meslier gets caught in no man’s land, but a defender is back to clear off the line.

Massive chance for Palace to draw level.

GOAL

Leeds 1-0 Palace (Bamford)

20 mins

Leeds open the scoring, and it’s an old-school set-piece that does it.

A cross into the near-post allows Bamford to lose his marker and flick the ball goalwards, finding the inside of the post with Johnstone glued to the spot. It’s an excellent header, and it means Palace are behind.

14 mins

More work for Johnstone to do as he prevents Sinisterra’s close-range effort from going in. Joel Ward did well to put the forward off as he stooped to connect with the low cross.

12 mins

Leeds remain in control of possession but Palace have tightened up at the back and look more composed – can they cause the hosts’ problems coming forwards?

8 mins

Now Bamford fires wide from the edge of the penalty area. Leeds on top.

6 mins

What a save – Johnstone is called into action for the first time and he demonstrates his quality straight away.

A low cross into the box is flicked goalwards from close range but the Palace ‘keeper getse down smartly to push it away, and follows it up with two more stops as the hosts apply the pressure.

Chance

2 mins

First chance falls to the visitors, as Marc Guéhi miskicks his clearance and it falls to Sinesterra at the far post, who drags narrowly wide.

Kick-off

14:00

Here we go – COME ON, PALACE!

13:59

Before kick-off, both sets of players observe a minute’s applause in memory of two Leeds fans killed in Istanbul 23 years ago.

13:57

A reminder of the two starting lineups:

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling, Firpo, Koch, Aaronson, Roca, Bamford, Harrison, Struijk, Sinisterra, McKennie.

Subs: Robles (GK), Forshaw, Cooper, Summerville, Rodrigo, Rutter, Kristensen, Gnoto, Greenwood.

Palace: Johnstone (GK), Ward, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Doucouré, Schlupp, Eze, Ayew, Edouard, Olise.

Subs: Whitworth (GK), Tomkins, Clyne, Riedewald, Hughes, Milivojevic, McArthur, Lokonga, Mateta.

13:55

‘Marching on together’ rings around Elland Road as the players wait in the tunnel.

Here come the two teams – Leeds in all white and Palace in red and blue.

13:53

How important could this man be today?

13:50

The warm-ups are over and the players have headed back into the dressing rooms for their final preparations.

Kick-off is just 10 minutes away...

13:40

13:30

You've seen the teams, now check out our in-depth preview for all the latest form, build-up and tactical analysis.

13:15

A first Premier League start for Sam Johnstone at Crystal Palace – and his manager has had plenty of faith in the former England international.

Hodgson says Johnstone must use his disappointment at not starting more games for Crystal Palace to motivate him as he prepares to fill in for the absent Vicente Guaita at Elland Road on Sunday.

“We can’t make sure he is ready, he is the only one that can make certain he is ready,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “I would be very surprised if he was not champing at the bit to get the gloves on and get the jersey on.

“He has trained very enthusiastically for the last 10 days or so since he came back from injury, and it seems he will be more than ready – if anything he will be over ready. He won’t have that lovely tranquillity that a goalkeeper who has been playing every game and getting rave reviews gets.

“He will be nervous, but we will do everything to quell those nerves because we have great faith in him. He is a great goalkeeper, and we are very lucky that if we lose Vicente we have a man like Sam with his quality and experience in his place.

“Don’t forget, Sam Johnstone has been in the England squad as well, so we are not talking about a guy playing his first Premier League game. We are talking about a guy who might be a bit disappointed that he is not the No. 1 here.”

Team news

13:00

Sam Johnstone will make his first Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace at Elland Road as Roy Hodgson makes two changes to his side to take on Leeds United.

Johnstone replaces the injured Vicente Guaita in goal, with Joe Whitworth coming into the matchday squad; an unchanged back-four of Joel Ward, Marc Guéhi, Joachim Andersen and Tyrick Mitchell start ahead of him.

In midfield, Cheick Doucouré, Jeff Schlupp and Ebere Eze retain their places while Jordan Ayew comes in for the injured Wilfried Zaha in attack; Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise complete the forward line.

Last week’s hero Jean-Philippe Mateta is available from the bench once again, with Sambi Lokonga, Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur also among the replacements.

Palace: Johnstone (GK), Ward, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Doucouré, Schlupp, Eze, Ayew, Edouard, Olise.

Subs: Whitworth (GK), Tomkins, Clyne, Riedewald, Hughes, Milivojevic, McArthur, Lokonga, Mateta.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling, Firpo, Koch, Aaronson, Roca, Bamford, Harrison, Struijk, Sinisterra, McKennie.

Subs: Robles (GK), Forshaw, Cooper, Summerville, Rodrigo, Rutter, Kristensen, Gnoto, Greenwood.

12:50

Team news is just 10 minutes away – who do you want to see starting this afternoon?

12:40

12:30

Despite an excellent start to his second spell in charge of the side, Roy Hodgson says Palace must approach every game with the same urgency and determination to secure three points.

“You can have a very good week of training and be very happy with people, but then the match begins and it doesn’t work out at all,” he explained. “We will find that happen a few times I’m certain, and that will test us.

“It will test the ability of the players to accept that we are in a very delicate situation. Winning one game hasn’t made it clear that we are no longer relegation candidates. We are.

“It was great to get that win. It was a vibrant win and we were delighted, but we mustn’t think we have cracked it. We’ve cracked nothing. We need a lot more points. The attitude going into this next game has to be exactly the same.

“[Leeds] are going to be really up for the game. They are going to be as motivated and as anxious to win the game as we are, so what are we going to produce on the field to make sure we end the game coming off it as winners and not them?

“That will very much be the case with all the games we play. I can’t see one game where that won’t be the case between now and the end of the season.”

You can read Roy Hodgson’s full pre-match thoughts HERE.

12:20

Marc Guéhi says Roy Hodgson reminding the squad of their abilities as footballers has given them the confidence boost required to start picking up positive results once again.

“He’s been really good, and really good with me,” Guéhi said of the manager. “He is someone I respect highly, not just for his work here at Palace but for his career throughout football.

“His staff who have come in have been fantastic with the players, and have given the team that confidence. It is something to remind ourselves that we are good players, that we can win games and carry on.

“A few tweaks have been made, but I think he has just given players that belief in themselves, in the team, in the individuals and in what he says – and how we execute things in his game.”

That belief shone through against Leicester City, as Palace secured a late victory in stoppage time. Guéhi hopes it can help them approach a difficult game at Elland Road with the same confidence.

“Training has been good – they have been intense sessions,” he says. “The win gave everybody confidence – the players needed that as a team. Since the manager came in he has helped us rebuild that.

“It is definitely something we can try to move forward with. It was an amazing scene, an amazing atmosphere in the stadium. You could feel the support we had during the game from our fans.

“We felt that [belief] in the team. Obviously it is difficult when you are in that type of run we were in, but the players never lost belief. We always believed in each other. Spirits are high around the place, there are really good people around the club so all focus is on the next game and making sure that is a win.

“Every team is tough to play against in this league. Going to Leeds is a difficult game, we know. Every game is difficult, but I think we just focus on ourselves, focus on making sure we execute a game plan in each game.”

12:10

Ebere Eze was the hero at Selhurst Park when the two sides last met in October as his late strike saw Palace come from behind to beat Leeds, with Odsonne Edouard having netted the equaliser before the break.

It was an element of revenge for the Eagles who had gone three straight games without scoring against Leeds – Palace’s last victory at Elland Road came 2006, with Jobi McAnuff scoring the only goal.

Welcome to Leeds

12:00

It’s a trip to the north-west for Roy Hodgson’s men as the Eagles look to make it back-to-back Premier League wins in Yorkshire.

Palace’s last victory here was more than 15 years ago, but they are flying high after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late winner against Leicester last time out and can take a huge step towards survival with three points today.

Stay tuned for all the latest build-up, action and reaction!