In this edition of Classic Palace Clash, we look back at a fixture against our upcoming opponents, Leeds United, at Elland Road, where the Eagles have enjoyed mixed success over the years.
When it comes to memorable matches against the West Yorkshire club, you can look no further than the 5-1 victory in April 2023 when Ebere Eze and Michael Olise shone to pull Roy Hodgson’s Palace away from the relegation zone while increasing fears that the hosts would finish the season in it
Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo, Mckennie, Roca, Harrison, Aaronson, Sinisterra, Bamford
Crystal Palace XI: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Eze, Schlupp, Olise, Ayew, Edouard
Leeds United Subs: Robles, Cooper, Kristensen, Forshaw, Greenwood, Summerville, Gnonto, Rutter, Rodrigo
Crystal Palace Subs: Whitworth, Tomkins, Clyne, Riedewald, Lokonga, Hughes, Milivojevic, McArthur, Mateta
Roy Hodgson’s return to the dugout following the somewhat harsh sacking of Patrick Vieira in the Spring of 2023 came at a time when both Leeds United and Palace were embroiled in a battle near the foot of the Premier League table.
However, the Eagles arrived at Elland Road on the back of a dramatic 2-1 victory over Leicester City, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time after being expertly played through by Jordan Ayew.
The entirety of Selhurst Park was sent into raptures as a 12-match winless streak in the league came to an end. With it came an overwhelming sense of relief, as the six-point gap to 18th-placed Nottingham Forest had grown to nine. As a result, there was an element of freedom about Palace’s play as they headed to West Yorkshire.
Javi Gracia’s side, meanwhile, were in desperate need of three points as their own safety hung in the balance. An impassioned home crowd would have had fond memories of the previous season, when Marcelo Bielsa’s team converted a late penalty to take all three points from Palace in a 1-0 victory.
It was the hosts who seized the early initiative. Full-back Junior Firpo surged down the left and cut the ball back for Brenden Aaronson, whose low effort forced a smart save from Sam Johnstone. Palace, wearing their striking jagged red-and-blue-striped kit, looked superb in the April sunshine, but Leeds appeared the more threatening side.
Their positive start soon paid off. An Aaronson corner found former Eagle Patrick Bamford, who used the pace of the delivery to direct a header goalwards. The ball crashed off the far post and beyond the helpless Johnstone.
Palace fans will have remembered Bamford’s ill-fated spell in south London, during which he failed to score a single goal in red and blue. He spent much of the 2015/16 campaign behind Connor Wickham in the pecking order before eventually being shipped out in January.
His departure was reportedly influenced by a strained relationship with manager Alan Pardew, whom Bamford criticised publicly. Therefore, it felt almost inevitable that he would pop up with a decisive moment against his former club.
Suddenly, the hope and relief generated by the Leicester result seemed to evaporate as the pressure of avoiding relegation began to loom once more. Yet this Palace side possessed a wealth of untapped quality. During Vieira’s final weeks in charge, the team had endured a remarkable run of four matches without registering a single shot on target.
Hodgson wasted little time in releasing the shackles. Despite a reputation for organisation and defensive solidity, he encouraged Palace to play with greater freedom, and the response was immediate.
The Eagles pushed purposefully for an equaliser following Bamford’s opener, and a corner nearly produced an instant response. Michael Olise, who had struggled for consistency under Vieira, appeared determined to become Palace’s creative focal point. His delivery found Jeffrey Schlupp unmarked inside the area, but the midfielder’s header struck the woodwork and bounced away.
The warning signs were there, and Palace soon capitalised. This time, the set-piece delivery came from Eberechi Eze. Much like Olise, Eze had often found himself on the bench under Vieira despite his obvious talent. His corner located Schlupp, whose glanced header brought the ball into a dangerous area, allowing Marc Guehi to react quickest and flick beyond Illan Meslier.
By half-time, the momentum had shifted completely, and the second half became a nightmare for Leeds.
Palace came flying out of the blocks. Olise exchanged passes with Odsonne Edouard before floating a cross towards Jordan Ayew, whose powerful header beat Meslier to complete the turnaround. The Leeds goalkeeper arguably could have done better, but Ayew was not complaining.
Unlike on previous occasions, Palace refused to sit back. The devastating partnership between Eze and Olise was now in full flow. The pair combined brilliantly through the middle of the Leeds defence, with Eze finding Olise, who cut inside before returning the ball to his teammate. Eze calmly slipped the finish beneath Meslier to make it 3-1.
When supporters reflect on the chemistry between Eze and Olise, this is often the match that comes to mind. With Wilfried Zaha nearing the end of his Palace career, this felt like the moment the club’s next generation announced itself.
Olise completed a hat-trick of assists when he picked out Edouard, who displayed a rare moment of composure to drill a clinical finish into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot.
The onslaught was not over. Eze once again caused problems as he found Will Hughes on the edge of the area. Hughes’ effort was blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly for Ayew, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to secure his second goal and complete a stunning 5-1 victory.
The result ultimately contributed to very different outcomes for the two clubs.
Palace comfortably secured an 11th-place finish, with Eze and Olise continuing their rise and enhancing their reputations throughout the division. Leeds, on the other hand, never truly recovered and were unable to avoid relegation. Not even the appointment of former Palace manager Sam Allardyce as a firefighter could prevent their slide into the Championship.
As we prepare to return to Elland Road this Sunday, Palace will hope to recreate memories of this clash rather than last season’s disappointing 4-1 defeat. Even without the brilliance of Eze or the otherworldly talent of Olise, the Eagles continue to produce exciting attacking moments. However, it will be the defence that must rise to the challenge posed by Daniel Farke’s physical and energetic side.
Nobody is expecting another 5-1 demolition of the hosts, but a performance as memorable as this one would certainly be most welcome.
