McAnuff swoops for high-flying Eagles as limp Leeds slip up

Leeds 0 Crystal Palace 1

Leeds started the game with the prospect of moving within one point of faltering Sheffield United, who occupy second spot but this defeat means they remain fourth following Watford’s victory last night.

Jobi McAnuff scored the all-important goal two minutes from half-time to inflict on the hosts only their second defeat in 16 games - and move Palace to within eight points of the Blades.

Striker Andrew Johnson was the provider as he calmly laid the ball off to McAnuff 12 yards out and the midfielder beat goalkeeper Neil Sullivan with a low shot just two minutes from half-time.

Although it was Leeds who initially showed the greater urgency and cohesion, Palace had a clear-cut chance to take the lead in the fourth minute.

McAnuff played the ball through to Clinton Morrison in the penalty area and the former Birmingham striker threaded it to Johnson, who spun and shot at Neil Sullivan from six yards, but the ball hit the keeper’s legs and Morrison could not capitalise.

Midway through the half Leeds came close to taking the lead when Eddie Lewis’ corner was cleared only as far as Kelly, who sent in a fierce shot from outside the area which flashed wide.

However, the home side were grateful when Fitz Hall managed to steer the ball wide from two yards with Sullivan on the ground after the keeper parried Mikele Leigertwood’s long-range shot. Douglas sent a low ball in across the area but Palace cleared the danger and McAnuff took advantage of Johnson’s unselfishness to put the Eagles ahead.

The second half started at the same frantic pace as the first, with Lewis putting a free-kick narrowly wide as Leeds harried the Palace defence into making mistakes.

The visitors, however, were showing more quality and composure with Leeds’ urgency often displaying itself as panic and they were let down by the final ball.

But the home side were almost level when Rob Hulse’s point-blank header from Lewis’ free-kick was somehow pushed away by Gabor Kiraly in the 68th minute.

Leeds continued to attack without seriously threatening the Palace goal and they slipped to defeat to leave them with only two points from the last nine available.

LEEDS: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey (Beckford 77), Miller, Douglas (Bakke 85), Derry, Lewis, Healy (Blake 62), Hulse.

PALACE: Kiraly, Boyce, Ward, Fitz Hall, Leigertwood, Riihilahti, Watson, Hughes, McAnuff (Reich 90), Johnson, Morrison (Soares 74).

Ref: P Joslin.