Staff Reporter.
Leeds United snatched a late win over Crystal Palace thanks to an injury-time penalty from Raphinha.
The hosts were awarded a 91st-minute penalty when Eagles defender Marc Guehi was adjudged to have handled the ball, with the decision confirmed after a Video Assistant Referee check and referee Kevin Friend watching the incident on a pitch-side screen.
Palace should have taken the lead when it was goalless but Christian Benteke headed wide from inside the six-yard box.
Benteke also had another chance late on when he got his foot to a long ball forward, but Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier managed to gather the ball just before it crossed the goalline.
Leeds’ win was only their fourth in the Premier League this season and moved them up from 17th to 15th.
“Raphinha’s very important and to score that goal he needed a lot of character, personality and courage. He got us the three points,” said Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
“We haven’t taken many points so far this season. Every game we see as an opportunity to balance this out.
“The opposing team had developed their play very well and it was very difficult to keep that clean sheet.”
It was a dramatic finish to a match that was frantic throughout, played in wet and windy conditions at a packed and passionate Elland Road.
Meanwhile Norwich manager Dean Smith felt the decision to award Newcastle a second-half penalty in the Canaries’ 1-1 draw at St James’ Park was “pathetic”.
Teemu Pukki’s magnificent left-footed volley salvaged a point for the visitors late on, but Smith was unhappy with the manner of Newcastle’s opener.
“We’ve taken all responsibility away from the on-pitch official,” said the former Aston Villa boss. “He’s obviously seen that [the ball] has touched [Gilmour’s] arm. He’s seen the close proximity he was in and didn’t feel it was unnatural.
“If it takes 90 seconds to [overturn] a clear and obvious error – it’s pathetic for me.”
The Magpies had endured a nightmare start when Ciaran Clark was shown a ninth-minute red card for a professional foul on Norwich striker Pukki.
Howe’s team responded well to Clark’s dismissal – although Wilson’s spot-kick proved to be their only shot on target throughout the 90 minutes