Crystal Palace Player Ratings: 4/10 'slacking' but 'bright spark' 8 in Leeds United bore draw

Crystal Palace continued to lack personality in a 0-0 draw with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon, making it two goalless outings on the bounce following the Conference League clash with AEK Larnaca last week.

The match was there for the taking after Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent off for a second yellow card in the first half. Oliver Glasner’s side failed to make the most of their advantage in men, which was the second gift of the day after Dominic Calvert-Lewin had missed an early penalty.

The point does move Crystal Palace to 39 points and one point away from the magical tally of 40, normally enough to avoid a potential relegation fight. Here’s how the Eagles players rated.

Crystal Palace Player Ratings

GK - Walter Benitez, 6

A clean sheet in his first Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace is job done on his behalf. Didn’t have to work very hard for it and will have been delighted to have seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin fire wide from the spot. Did have a hairy moment when positioned too far back in his goal and only just catching the ball before it crossed the line in the first half.

LWB - Tyrick Mitchell, 6

Was the creator of one of the Eagles’ better moments when whipping a first time cross into the box in the first half. Looked to provide some much needed width but needed more runs for his teammates.

CB - Chris Richards, 6

A little unconvincing when under some of the Leeds United balls into the box. Did well to get in the way of Calvert-Lewin when the striker was slotted through after the break, taking a clattering for his troubles.

CB - Maxence Lacroix, 6

Not easy against a physical Calvert-Lewin but up largely up for the test this afternoon.

CB - Jaydee Canvot, 7

At least played with a lot of passion. Infuriated some Leeds United supporters online when celebrating the red card but a positive showing from the 19-year-old.

RWB - Brennan Johnson, 7

Worked hard in the wing back role. Was where he needed to be defensively and still managed to influence some attacking moves. Didn’t perhaps look a natural defender, eventually seeing a yellow card for a mistimed tackle after the break.

CM - Will Hughes, 7

Not sure what he was doing with his arm outstretched like that to give away the penalty, and lucky to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin waste that chance. Was the one player trying to get the ball moving a bit quicker in the second half before his substitution.

CM - Jefferson Lerma, 4

Saw plenty of the ball, just didn’t do a whole lot with it. A performance that lacked personality appeared to have come alive when firing home a header in the second half, following up a first shot alertly, but that goal was ruled out for offside.

CAM - Evann Guessand, 8

The brightest spark in a pretty dull Crystal Palace side today. Lively from the start and caused Leeds United real problems with his enthusiastic closing down. Played some neat passes in the opposition third when he had the chance. If something was going to happen today, it would likely have been thanks to Guessand.

CAM - Ismaila Sarr, 5

Sarr’s most important work came in winning the foul that saw Leeds United reduced to 10 men. Didn’t look to fancy running at a depleted Whites side after that and was sloppy in some of his passing.

ST - Jorgen Strand Larsen, 4

Very quiet, but not given much to work with at all. Could have been more lively to get on the end of a decent Tyrick Mitchell cross in the first half but the first time ball caught him slacking.

Subs - Jean-Philippe Mateta (3), Adam Wharton (7), Yeremy (4), Daichi Kamada (4).

In other news, Crystal Palace linked La Liga boss loved by Chelsea star Marc Cucurella drops hint over future.