It seemed like a clear message was being sent to Daniel Farke and his Leeds United players
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:30, 16 Mar 2026Updated 16:17, 16 Mar 2026
It felt like a message was being sent(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters wanted to see Leeds United show fight and resilience away at Crystal Palace, and they did exactly that – just not in the way anyone foresaw.
Decisions even themselves out over the course of the season, goes the theory. I’m not sure Whites fans will agree when it comes to this campaign.
Frankly, this was a game which exposed Thomas Bramall’s Premier League experience of just three-and-a-half seasons. Through deciding to cover his own back for blowing his whistle when Crystal Palace were through on goal by issuing Gabriel Gudmundsson a yellow card, he actually exposed himself.
Whoever his referee inspirations are, he came very close to emulating Graham Poll’s three-caution gaff at the 2006 World Cup, before eventually clocking on that he had already booked the left-back.
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If that was farcical then the reactions of Jaydee Canvot and Maxence Lacroix were classless. Ethan Ampadu later told Leeds Live he had not seen their punching of the air in emphatic celebration but clocked how the visiting players were notably happy at the break.
Leeds responded by showing their resolve. Daniel Farke reverted to a 5-3-1 formation and revealed why Palace have only scored 14 Premier League home goals this season.
Even £48m Leeds winter target Jorgen Strand Larsen couldn’t find a way through, failing to get a shot off at all before being hooked on 60 minutes.
In fact, Leeds ended the game with a better xG (expected goals) ratio – 1.12 to 0.67 – albeit much of that will have been Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s missed penalty. How costly that will be may come to light in time but Leeds need to be praised for not allowing it to precede a defeat.
Karl Darlow made a number of fantastic saves, even if one was ultimately from an offside chance – the effort which was eventually nodded home only for the assistant to raise his flag and VAR to confirm the correct call.
Pascal Struijk recovered from a nervy start to head anything he could away or onwards if up the other end. James Justin and Jayden Bogle kept their position well, Joe Rodon remained astute.
Ilia Gruev solidified the midfield, Ethan Ampadu put his body on the line and Jaka Bijol learned his lesson after a close shave with a red card himself just before Gudmundsson was sent off. Leeds dug in and did their job, having so many times before suffered late heartache.
In this way, Leeds showed their growth and sent a message, even if not as loud as they would like, to their rivals. The away support recognised this at the end.
They gave a rapturous reception to their players as they made their way over after full-time, blaring out Marching On Together with scarves aloft.
Gudmundsson shook the hands of supporters to apologise for his red card. He need not have, but it showed once more how he is a class act off the pitch as well as on it. The noise from the travelling fans when their heroes walked over seemed telling.
It felt like a clear message – we see you, and we’re with you. Injustices will come – such as the decision not to show a second yellow card to Brennan Johnson for a blatant foul on Justin – but for these fans, it’s always been us against the world. They’re used to it. In fact, that’s how they like it.
Leeds will never go quietly. They might not go at all. That second half showed a glimpse of why.