A disappointing midweek goalless draw with AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League was not well received by the Selhurst Park faithful, and a largely uneventful first half will have done little to boost the mood.
Leeds created the best early opening, as a mistimed Ismaila Sarr header allowed Brenden Aaronson to fire a bouncing ball across the face of goal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin then saw his header from a promising position well held, shortly before Sarr’s optimistic strike from a tight angle was denied by Karl Darlow.
However, the game sparked into life in the final minutes of the half when Will Hughes inexplicably handled in the box from a corner.
Calvert-Lewin stepped up to the spot, but despite sending Walter Benitez the wrong way, he couldn’t guide his low strike on target.
Referee Thomas Bramall was then thrust into the limelight when he – perhaps unknowingly – showed Gabriel Gudmundsson a second yellow card for a late challenge, eventually pulling out a red after encouragement from the Palace players.
Despite kicking off the second period a man down, Leeds were far from out of the contest and maintained a threat going forward.
A mixed reception greeted Jean-Philippe Mateta as he was introduced from the bench after an hour, with Oliver Glasner looking to press home Palace’s numerical advantage.
With time ticking away, it briefly looked like Palace had made the breakthrough, as Darlow clawed away Jefferson Lerma’s header, but could do nothing to stop him from powering home a second header on the follow-up.
However, an offside in the build-up from Brennan Johnson saw that would-be goal swiftly ruled out.
That proved to be the last meaningful chance of the match as both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils. Concerningly for Palace fans, their side has now won just once – against rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers – in 10 league games since November (D4, L5).
A league-high fourth goalless draw at Selhurst Park leaves Glasner’s side 14th, 10 points clear of the drop, but unlikely to trouble the European spots.
As for Leeds, a five-match winless league run (D3, L2) is their longest such streak this season, worryingly coming at a time when they are just three points above the danger zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Anton Stach (Leeds United)
