Raphinha's injury-time penalty gave Leeds all three points. They move up to 15th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.
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Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side faced Crystal Palace at Elland Road in the Premier League and claimed an important three points, thanks to a stoppage time penalty from Raphinha. The Whites were on the front foot from kick-off and Dan James caused problems early on to the visiting backline, having a couple of efforts on goal, but Palace stood firm to deal with them.
3 POINTS!!! pic.twitter.com/datA9Stm7G
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 30, 2021
When Patrick Vieira’s side came forward, they were winning corners and looking to fill the box for the set-plays. Quick interplay between Wilfried Zaha, Conor Gallagher and Odsonne Edouard looked to open up the defence but much like at the other end, the defence dealt with it.
At half time, Bielsa went to his bench. Struijk and Mateusz Klich were replaced by Junior Firpo and Rodrigo for the second half of the game. The first chance of the second 45 fell the way of the visitors. Freshly introduced, Firpo was booked almost instantly for a foul on the edge of the box and from the close range free-kick Gallagher fired into the wall, before Zaha volleyed over.
The atmosphere was electric inside Elland Road and the players were responding. Plenty of fair but firm challenges were seen in what was becoming a hard-fought encounter at each end of the pitch.
With just over 15 minutes remaining, the best chance of the match so far arrived. Palace broke forward at pace and when Zaha picked up the ball in the box, he clipped it to the back post for the recently introduced Christian Benteke, who put his header wide with an open goal in front of him.
? As cool as you like! pic.twitter.com/fUFwf5tslv
— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 1, 2021
With five minutes of stoppage time shown, Liam Cooper jumped above everyone to have a header on goal, which struck Marc Guehi’s arm. The referee was sent to his VAR monitor and awarded the Whites a last minute penalty.
Up stepped the top scorer Raphinha from the spot. He was the calmest person in the ground, to run up and slot home the penalty and send Elland Road absolutely wild, to claim the three points for his side in the final few seconds!
Norwich City came from behind to draw 1-1 with Newcastle United in the Premier League at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night. Newcastle’s Ciaran Clark was sent off in the ninth minute for a foul on Teemu Pukki, but Callum Wilson gave the home side the lead with a penalty in the second half after the ball struck Billy Gilmour’s hand.
Dean Smith responded with an inspired substitution, Dimitris Giannoulis coming on to set up Pukki’s equalising goal – a venomous volley off the underside of the crossbar.
Lees-Melou had a great chance to win it in the third minute of stoppage time after winning the ball from Fabian Schar but Dubravka made a save with his left leg.
