Leeds United lessons learned vs Crystal Palace with new Joe Rodon role as Dominic Calvert-Lewin matches Mark Viduka run — YEP 21/12/25
By Kyle Newbould
The YEP’s key talking points from another brilliant night
under the Elland Road lights for Leeds United.
Leeds United will enjoy Christmas on a four-game unbeaten
run thanks to Saturday’s brilliant 4-1 win at home to Crystal Palace. A brace
from Dominic Calvert-Lewin had the Whites two goals up at half-time before
Ethan Ampadu grabbed his first goal of the season on 60 minutes.
Daniel Farke’s side dominated from start to finish, the only
blot on their performance a late Justin Devenny penalty to make it 3-1 in
second-half added-time, but Anton Stach restored his side’s three-goal lead
with a brilliant late free-kick. Below are a few of the YEP’s key takeaways
from another brilliant night under the lights at Elland Road.
More tactical tweaks from Daniel Farke
There was only one personnel switch to the side that started
at Brentford but the introduction of Brenden Aaronson for Ao Tanaka also
encouraged a slight change of shape, with Leeds matching Palace’s 3-4-2-1
formation. The most interesting alteration, however, came further back with Joe
Rodon playing a combination of centre-back, right-back and right-wing.
The Welshman was hugging the touchline in a right-back
position when Leeds had the ball for a period of time before either drifting
into the half-space or bursting down the line as Jayden Bogle went central.
That also allowed the influential Aaronson to buzz around the pitch wherever he
felt necessary, with the slight tweak having a huge impact on how the Whites
built attacks.
Ethan Ampadu’s improving throws
Ampadu was designated as Leeds’ long-throw taker before the
season kicked off and while he’s always had the distance, not until Saturday
did his touchline launches really cause a threat. Palace hadn’t conceded from a
long throw all season but let in two at Elland Road, Calvert-Lewin twice
getting free at the back post.
There is a notable change to Ampadu’s throws, which are now
much flatter and hauled into the penalty area with much more pace. It looks as
though he’s been seriously practicing them at Thorp Arch, while the presence of
three centre-backs in Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk proved too much for
Palace. Long may it continue.
Hot streak continues for Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin was the main beneficiary of Ampadu’s long
throws and in making it 1-0, scored in his fifth consecutive Premier League
game. He’s the first Leeds striker to enjoy such a run since Mark Viduka 22
years ago and one of only four Whites forwards to do it in the Premier League -
the other two being Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Rod Wallace.
That run became six goals in five games before half-time and
it’s hard to think of a time where Calvert-Lewin was in such great form, not
only scoring but making great runs, linking up play and looking fitter than
ever. Huge credit to all involved for getting him to this position and keeping
him available.
Christmas confidence
Leeds were in the relegation zone by virtue of an inferior
goal difference on November 25, and a run of games against Manchester City,
Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford and Crystal Palace offered little hope of
improvement. But what an improvement Farke has overseen, and eight points from
those five games has made the picture a lot better in West Yorkshire.
A month later, Leeds will spend Christmas Day six points
clear of West Ham in the third and final relegation place, while they also have
a superior goal difference of nine on the Hammers. Few in LS11 expected to
spend the big day in such a position one month ago but it’s a brilliant way to
enter into the festivities.
