Anton Stach reveals exactly how he proved Leeds United bench wrong in Crystal Palace win
Anton Stach got on the scoresheet as Leeds United cruised to a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the hero for Leeds, scoring a first-half brace to put Daniel Farke’s side 2-0 up at the break.
Ethan Ampadu added a third on the hour mark to put the Whites in dreamland, before Justin Devenny pulled one back for Palace.
Stach wrapped up the three points in the final seconds though, curling a beautiful free-kick past Dean Henderson and into the net.
Anton Stach was doubted by the Leeds bench
Leeds thought they had been awarded a penalty in the closing moments, when Borna Sosa tripped Ilia Gruev in the box.
Referee Thomas Bramall originally pointed to the spot, but a VAR review rightly determined that the foul had occurred outside the area.
It was only a temporary reprieve for Palace though, as Stach stepped up and converted the subsequent free-kick anyway.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, the German midfielder revealed that the Leeds bench had very little faith in his abilities before he found the back of the net.
Stach joked: “On the bench, they said I would shoot ten feet over the fence, but I proved them wrong.
“I just saw the opportunity to score. I was confident, I told my teammates that I was going to shoot, then I asked Joel [Piroe] which corner I should go. He said go over the wall, and I did it, and I think it was a nice one.”
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Anton Stach proving his worth for Leeds
Leeds signed Stach from Hoffenheim for a fee of around £17million over the summer, and has proven himself to be a very adept signing for the West Yorkshire outfit.
The 27-year-old has started 14 out of the Whites’ 17 Premier League games so far this season, and is quickly becoming one of the first names on Farke’s teamsheet.
Stach has scored three top-flight goals already this term, as well as picking up two assists.
Farke’s side are now six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, and seem to be going from strength to strength.
If Leeds can keep Stach fit, as well as the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Ethan Ampadu, then they will give themselves a real chance of staying up.
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