Leeds United left with many 'what ifs' but one question was answered at Crystal Palace — Leeds Live 16/3/26

Injustice and inaccuracy cost Leeds United but the Whites showed something they needed to in that second half

Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter

Leeds United had to overcome a home crowd and a dismal refereeing performance to secure their 10th point on the road this season.

But while the wait for an away Premier League win since September continues, this hard-fought 0-0 in testing circumstances could be just as galvanising. Leeds remain three points off the drop zone having kept a league clean sheet for the first time since the win over Fulham some two months ago.

Ultimately, with 10 men, Leeds stretched their unbeaten away run to six in all competitions and four in the league, not suffering defeat on the road since that defeat to Newcastle United on January 7. That has got to count for something.

Nottingham Forest drawing at home to Fulham may have done more damage to their morale while who knows whether Tottenham Hotspur’s draw at Liverpool will actually work in United’s favour, should Spurs decide not to replace loose-cannon Igor Tudor ahead of time.

Regardless, Leeds need to concentrate on themselves and still have their own destiny in their control. If this scenario was offered with eight games left to play back in August, Leeds would have taken it. And here we are, ahead of a home night game against Brentford.

It feels like when it comes to referee decisions, Leeds have not had the rub of the green, whether it is to do with VAR or simple human error. This red card was extremely harsh, and it is pretty clear that if referee Thomas Bramall had realised he had indeed booked Gabriel Gudmundsson earlier, he would not have shown the second yellow.

What also seemed apparent is that he might not have given the booking anyway if Palace had not been sent through when he blew up - it’s not too much of a claim to suggest that he felt he had to show a card to justify his decision. That ruined Leeds’ chances of a win, or at least in theory.

Leeds did manage to create chances despite being a man down and that is credit to them. No credit is given to Palace duo Jaydee Canvot and Maxence Lacroix for celebrating the red card like they had scored a screamer. Tasteless and a mighty lack of class shown.

Leeds fans would have banked their Mother's Day money on Dominic Calvert-Lewin putting that penalty away. He has done so much right this season but this was perhaps his lowest moment so far. A saved penalty can be forgiven but to not hit the target is borderline unacceptable.

Ethan Ampadu came up and gave him a big embrace straight away, with the striker holding his head in his hands. Calvert-Lewin is a confident character but he could have done without needing to respond to a setback at this point in the season.

Perhaps Lukas Nmecha will be on spot kicks from now on if he is on the pitch. The good news for Calvert-Lewin - who was on his haunches at full-time having had a number of other chances - is that he will get ample chance to put today behind him.

Leeds have had to sit in before but have often fallen foul of a late goal. This only gives further testament to the players for not doing so with one fewer teammate to lean on - although had they had the extra man, Leeds probably wouldn’t have been camped in so deep anyway.

The first half had been a slog-fest, with both teams taking every opportunity to lump the ball into the box. Even Oliver Glasner and Daniel Farke shared a joke about it being a miserable watch as they made their way to the tunnel at half-time.

Both teams more or less carried on in the second half but to less frequency as Leeds were penned in and Palace tried to utilise the space more with their extra man.

It almost worked for the hosts when they put the ball into the net, but Brennan Johnson - who ought to have been sent off for a second yellow himself - received the ball back in an offside position.

Leeds held firm in their 5-3-1 formation and held on for a vital point. Who knows how important that - and Calvert-Lewin’s penalty miss - will be.

But, after those two league losses and rivals then breathing relegation pressure, they answered the key question of showing resilience with flying colours.