Daniel Farke tried crazy new Leeds tactic vs Crystal Palace – it worked to perfection
Leeds United continued their impressive run in the Premier League by beating Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed a brace, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach also on the scoresheet as the Whites secured a 4-1 win at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side are now unbeaten in their last four games, and have moved six points clear of the relegation zone as a result.
Farke did make an unusual tactical tweak during the clash with Palace, which saw one of his players in a new role.
Joe Rodon utilised as a winger vs Crystal Palace
Farke has been praised for his tactical flexibility in recent weeks, after Leeds switched to a 5-3-2 formation with great success.
The German manager made the decision at half-time of their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, and the Whites have looked like a new side ever since.
Farke went a step further against Palace, allowing centre-back Joe Rodon to overlap Jayden Bogle on the right wing.
As shown by his heat map, Rodon was almost playing as a winger at times, even cutting into the box on occasions.
The plan worked to great effect, with Leeds creating an overload on the right-hand side and pinning Palace back.
Daniel Farke deserves praise for new Leeds ideas
Farke looked destined for the sack at Leeds going into December, but his tactical nous has allowed for a remarkable turnaround at Elland Road.
Even since utilising a five-at-the-back system, the German manager has not been rigid in his thinking, switching to a back four in the comeback draw against Liverpool.
The Whites are now six points clear of 18th-placed West Ham in the Premier League, and are seemingly going from strength to strength.
Despite coming through games against Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford, and Crystal Palace, it doesn’t get any easier for Leeds.
Farke’s side face Sunderland in their final match of 2025, before travelling to Anfield to take on Liverpool once again at the start of January.
Leeds will go into their next run of fixtures full of confidence though, and believing they can stay in the Premier League.
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