Landmark Bamford strike seals comfortable Leeds win over Palace

Patrick Bamford struck his 100th career goal as Leeds moved into the Premier League’s top 10 after a comfortable 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Jack Harrison gave the home side the perfect start with an early deflected strike, before Bamford netted from close range in the second period for a dominant Leeds side.

Marcelo Bielsa’s men got off to the perfect start with just three minutes on the clock.

Tyrick Mitchell’s poor clearance fell to Harrison on the edge of the area, and while the winger struck his effort well it took a deflection off the sliding Gary Cahill and flew past Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal.

It was almost two with 10 minutes on the clock when Guaita was forced to parry away a Bamford header.

Bielsa’a men were well on top and Bamford squandered a great chance to double their advantage when he blazed over with only Guaita to beat.

Pascal Struijk then missed two headed opportunities before the break, the second of which he really should have scored from.

Kalvin Phillips’ excellent cross to the back post found the big defender unmarked, but he steered his effort well wide of goal.

Roy Hodgson made a change at the break when he brought on the more attacking Andros Townsend for Patrick van Aanholt.

Palace were the better side in the early stages of the second half, but it was Leeds who struck first again.

100 up for Bamford

Strong pressing saw Palace lose possession in midfield before Raphina’s fierce strike was saved one-handed by Guaita. However, Bamford was on hand to stroke home the rebound to bring up a century of career goals.

Bamford had another opportunity moments later but headed Luke Ayling’s cross straight at Guaita.

Palace missed a great chance to pull a goal back when Eberechi Eze blazed over the bar after good work by Michy Batshuayi.

At the other end Guaita had to be on his toes to keep out Stuart Dallas’ long-range strike.

Harrison was unlucky not to add his second of the game when he raced into the area before toe-poking an effort against the bar.

Leeds did suffer a blow late on when Kalvin Phillips limped off with an injury he picked up earlier in the half.

Otherwise it was a good night for Bielsa’s men, as they climbed into the top 10. Palace remain 13th after a largely toothless display.