Peter Lynch

Sun 9 April 2023 14:47, UK

Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has blasted Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in the first half of his side’s match against Leeds United on Sunday (9 April).

Leeds winger Luis Sinisterra had a golden opportunity to put the home side ahead at Elland Road as Guehi made a mess of a routine clearance.

But Sinisterra could only manage to drill his low strike in the opening stages wide of the goal, with his teammate Patrick Bamford managing to find the back of the net shortly after to open the scoring.

“It’s poor, panicked defending really from Guehi,” Hinchcliffe said on Sky Sports Premier League (2:04pm, 9 April). “He’s under no pressure, he just hangs out a lazy leg. You’ve got to do better.

“I talked about Palace controlling the opening stages of the game. The last thing you want to do is make defensive errors like that.”

Big second-half ahead

Both clubs have endured similarly tricky campaigns, with just one point separating Leeds and Crystal Palace going into the game, with the former sitting 16th in the table and the latter sitting 14th.

Both clubs have also switched their manager this season amid the hugely competitive relegation battle, with that tension in the table transferring onto the pitch in the first half at Elland Road.

In yet another comparison, the two sides headed into the game full of confidence after wins in their previous fixtures, having both been heavily defeated 4-1 by Arsenal prior to those wins.

Gracia has enjoyed a positive start to his managerial reign in Yorkshire, with the Spaniard keen to keep the positivity going in the second 45 minutes against the Eagles.

But the visitors, who have also had success in Roy Hodgson’s brief return to the dugout, are also in need of three points and will therefore keep the pressure on the hosts.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites are reportedly plotting a double transfer raid to sign Weston McKennie permanently, as well as Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres.