LONDON (AP) — Leeds moved five points clear of the relegation zone by drawing Crystal Palace 0-0 in the English Premier League on Monday.
The team coached by American Jesse Marsch have been sucked into the relegation fight by improved form Burnley and have tough opponents among their five remaining games, starting with Manchester City at the weekend and followed by Arsenal and Chelsea .
Every point could therefore be crucial, and it was won after Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta squandered the best of chances, not really testing Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Palace were able to end their three-game losing streak in all competitions but remained 14th, nine points above the bottom three.
Marsch and Palace manager Patrick Vieira faced each other nine times while in charge of New York Red Bulls and New York City respectively, and the games were often heated. That of Selhurst Park also had its moments of tension just before the break.
Palace had the first chance of the match with a long direct ball over Mateta, who chipped the ball past Meslier. Diego Llorente was able to come back and erase.
The hosts had another chance in the 11th minute when Nathaniel Clyne crossed the ball towards Wilfried Zaha, who was well placed but his header lacked power and Meslier was able to collect.
Leeds had to scramble the ball in the 15th when Conor Gallagher smartly picked out Jordan Ayew, who passed towards the back post, but Mateta couldn’t get there and drive home.
Leeds had to wait until the 27th for their first corner, and the ball fell on Liam Cooper but his effort was direct on Vicente Guaita.
Just before half-time, players from both teams clashed a few times, but things calmed down.
After a lackluster opener on 45 minutes, Leeds had an opportunity early in the second half when Stuart Dallas picked out Raphinha on the wing, and the Brazilian cut inside but took too long trying to shoot, which has deviated widely.
With both teams unable to show their quality in the final third, Dallas took a chance from range but was wide of Guaita’s goal.
Shortly after, Zaha had another chance to play Mateta through the middle but his pass lacked pace and Leeds were able to clear. In the 66th, Zaha chose Mateta well but his attempt went over the bar.
Meslier had to make a big save to counter Zaha’s curling effort, then easily held off Gallagher’s shot with less than five minutes left.
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