Eze goal gives Crystal Palace their first league win since August
Jesse Marsch returned to the touchline to orchestrate the trademark Leeds high press that has earned them countless admirers over the past two seasons.
The visitors turned the ball over five times in the attacking third within the opening 15 minutes, pressure that eventually told to earn them the lead. Brendan Aaronson (21) wonderfully dribbled through the Palace defence before firing a shot against the post, but to his relief, Pascal Struijk (23) was the first to react and fire home the rebound.
Leeds hadn’t really been threatened at all in the opening exchanges but were caught cold from a Palace set-piece to surrender the lead.
Michael Olise’s looping delivery towards the back post was headed home by Odsonne Edoaurd (24) past a despairing Illan Meslier (22).
Vieira’s side scored their only shot of the half and would certainly need to improve after the break, as Patrick Bamford (29) showed as the returning forward missed a huge chance to double the lead moments before conceding.
The Eagles improved after the break and Jordan Ayew (31) looked to be in a glorious position to put his side in the lead, but Rasmus Kristensen made a heroic last-ditch block to keep the scores level.
A piece of real brilliance would decide the contest in the end, as the resurgent hosts fired into the lead. A flowing team move was finished off by Eberechi Eze (24), receiving the ball after a delightful flick from Wilfried Zaha (29) before beating a man and thrashing home beyond Meslier.
A first home goal in over 18 months for the youngster proved a bridge too far for Leeds to cross.
Marsch’s men are winless in their last five games and are now level on points with Palace who claimed just a second win of the season.
