Eagles undone by Becchio brace

Luciano Becchio's quickfire second-half brace helped Leeds come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Elland Road on Saturday.

Last Updated: 04/12/10 at 17:12 Post Comment

Becchio: Scored on 81 and 83 minutes

Becchio: Scored on 81 and 83 minutes

Neil Danns had opened the scoring from close range in the closing stages of the first half, but Becchio's headed equaliser in the 81st minute was followed by a well-taken second moments later as the Whites stretched their unbeaten run to seven games - and Becchio took his goal tally for the season to 11 .

Leeds started brightly and had the ball in the net early on, although Jonny Howson seemed to be the only player in Elland Road not to notice the linesman flagging for offside as he ran off celebrating.

Palace then created a couple of half-chances as James Vaughan found some space and curled a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box, and Darren Ambrose was then denied by the legs of Kasper Schmeichel.

The game continued to flow, but Leeds should have opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Robert Snodgrass cut the ball back for Becchio. The Argentinian striker failed to control the ball, though, and Max Gradel sent the loose ball wide.

The home side were hit by a superb counter-attacking goal before the break. Nathaniel Clyne did well to get to the byline and get the ball across. It was behind Vaughan but reached Danns at the far post and he side-footed home his fourth goal of the season.

Palace, with three wins from their last four games before today, almost doubled their advantage in first-half injury-time. Ambrose whipped a 25-yard free-kick over the wall, but Schmeichel somehow managed to tip the ball over for a corner.

Neil Kilkenny drilled in a shot which was well held by Speroni at the start of the second half, but it was the Eagles who looked the side more likely to add to their lead.

Ambrose let fly from 30 yards but Schmeichel brilliantly clawed the ball to safety, before a low, hard drive from Danns brought an unorthodox save from the Dane.

Simon Grayson's men hit back, with Alex Bruce heading wide from close in and Becchio forcing Speroni into a point-blank save with another headed attempt from a deep Snodgrass cross.

Sub Lloyd Sam brought another decent stop from Speroni before Palace came agonisingly close to sealing the points as Danns' right-footed shot came back off a post.

Sam was trying his best to get the Whites back into the game, but again the goalkeeper was equal to his powerful strike on the run.

Leeds finally got the goal they deserved with nine minutes remaining. Kilkenny's corner was flicked on by George McCartney and then Billy Paynter, and Becchio was on hand to get the final touch over the line.

And the same player snatched a second shortly afterwards, collecting the loose ball and holding off the challenge of a defender before slotting the ball past Speroni.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Monday, 13 May 2013
19:45
Brighton 0-2 C Palace Report
Sunday, 12 May 2013
12:30
Watford 3-1 Leicester Report
Friday, 10 May 2013
19:45
C Palace 0-0 Brighton Report
Thursday, 09 May 2013
Leicester 1-0 Watford Report
Saturday, 04 May 2013
12:45
Birmingham 1-1 Blackburn Report
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool Report
Brighton 2-0 Wolves Report
Burnley 2-0 Ipswich Report
Charlton 4-1 Bristol C Report
C Palace 3-2 Peterboro Report

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Ferguson wins LMA Manager gong

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the LMA's Premier League Manager of the Year, with Malky Mackay, Gary Johnson and Martin Allen also rewarded.

Brighton apologise to Crystal Palace for dressing room 'vandalism'

Brighton have apologised to Crystal Palace for the "vandalism" in their dressing room before last week's play-off semi.

Hodgson waits on Cleverley

England are waiting to find out if Tom Cleverley will be fit to face Republic of Ireland and Brazil after calling Jack Rodwell into the squad.

Mail Box

What Would United Be Like In The Pub?

The Premier League season has only been over for about 20 hours and already we're well into the summer-type Mailbox. Plus, a shout for the 2014 player of the year...

Arsenal Should Be Praised For Finishing Fourth

Arsenal fans are largely positive after their top four finish, whilst one wag suggest buying Bale from their rivals. We also have an interesting final mail. Enjoy...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved