Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 0 - Patrick Bamford reaches landmark as Whites move into top half

Leeds United celebrate Patrick Bamford's goal at Elland Road. Pic: Bruce Rollinson

Patrick Bamford scored his 100th career goal on Monday night as Leeds United defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 in Premier League action.

Marcelo Bielsa named an unchanged line-up for the visit of the Eagles with Pablo Hernandez dropping out of the squad through injury.

Both teams knew victory would lift them into the top half with the pair locked on 29 points and it was Leeds who started quickest in just the third minute.

Jack Harrison gathered the ball and drove into the box to shoot low but his effort took a wicked deflection into the roof of the net leaving Vicente Guaita unmoved.

Leeds asserted their authority as time passed in what was a dominant first half and should've doubled the lead through Bamford a short while later.

United's number nine won the ball in midfield and took a huge touch out of his feet to burst through past retreating defender Gary Cahill.

Bamford, though, blazed his resulting shot over the bar at the crucial moment as he entered the opposition box.

Pascal Struijk then spurned two headed opportunities before Jordan Ayew saw a penalty appeal turned away by referee Andre Marriner.

Bielsa's men deserved more of a cushion at the interval and it didn't take long for the Whites to find one just a few minutes into the second period.

Bamford finally has his landmark goal as Raphinha saw an effort saved by Guaita following a perfectly timed through ball from Mateusz Klich.

The ball then fell to the striker, who had followed up the shot inside the box, to slot home into the bottom corner of the net.

Roy Hodgson's men did muster somewhat of a response as Eberechi Eze twice went close.

Substitute Andros Townsend also tested the palms of Illan Meslier in the hosts goal but it was Leeds who cruised to a relatively easy victory under little pressure.

Harrison rattled the crossbar late on but Leeds were forced to settled for just the two goals on another impressive night in LS11.

The only down point of the evening was caused with the exit of Kalvin Phillips late on who limped off with an apparent muscle injury.

With the three points Bielsa's men moved into 10th place, leapfrogging Arsenal into the top half of the Premier League table.

Leeds United XI: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Alioski, Phillips (Shackleton 88), Dallas, Klich, Harrison, Raphinha, Bamford. Subs not used: Casilla, Cresswell, Davis, Jenkins, Huggins, Gelhardt, Costa, Roberts.