Leeds 0–0 Crystal Palace: How VAR and Missed Chances Kept the Game Scoreless
Leeds and Crystal Palace played out a 0–0 draw on 20 September 2026 in a match where both sides had moments to win it, but neither could produce a goal that counted.
Crystal Palace thought they had broken the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
Tyrick Mitchell reacted quickest to a rebound inside the penalty area and fired the ball into the top-right corner.
Palace celebrated.
But the celebrations did not last.
VAR intervened.
After a review, the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
That decision became one of the defining moments of the match.
Leeds, meanwhile, had their own major opportunity in the 57th minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin received a precise cross inside the penalty area. His low effort lacked power, however, and the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
There were other opportunities at both ends.
Daichi Kamada came close for Crystal Palace.
Quinten Timber went narrowly over.
Ao Tanaka missed a huge opportunity for Leeds in the first half.
And in the closing stages, Kamada came within inches of finally breaking the deadlock.
But the goal never came.
So why did this match finish 0–0 despite both teams creating openings?
Welcome to MatchWhy, where we don't just tell you the score — we explain why.
The Opening: Both Teams Look for Early Space
Leeds started the match with the advantage of taking the kick-off, but Crystal Palace quickly showed that they were prepared to attack.
The first significant moment came almost immediately.
At the first minute, Quinten Timber committed a foul as Leeds began trying to build forward.
Leeds then looked to use set pieces and crosses to put Palace under pressure.
Anton Stach delivered a free kick into the box in the second minute, but Crystal Palace's defence cleared the danger.
Another free kick followed shortly afterward.
Tactical Sketch: Leeds' Early Approach
PALACE DEFENCE
○────○────○────○
↑ ↑ ↑
│ │ │
CROSS / SET PIECE
↑
│
○─────○─────○
LEEDS
Leeds were immediately willing to use deliveries into the penalty area rather than relying exclusively on short combinations.
Palace, however, were alert to the danger.
Crystal Palace Nearly Strike First
Crystal Palace's first major attacking opportunity came in the sixth minute.
Quinten Timber received the ball around the edge of the penalty area and struck a shot that flew narrowly over the crossbar.
It was a warning for Leeds.
Palace were finding positions around the edge of the box where they could shoot before Leeds had time to completely close them down.
At the seventh minute, Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford came off his line to gather a cross from Jayden Bogle.
The match was already showing its basic pattern:
Leeds looked to attack through crosses and set pieces, while Palace attempted to create opportunities around the box and through movement.
Leeds Respond Through the Wide Areas
Leeds continued using Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson to deliver balls into the penalty area.
At the seventh minute, Bogle sent a cross into the box.
Trafford gathered it.
Anton Stach then delivered another corner at the eighth minute, but Palace's defenders cleared.
Leeds were creating territorial pressure, but Palace were dealing with the final ball.
Tactical Sketch: Palace Defending Leeds' Crosses
LEEDS WIDE PLAYER
○
│
CROSS
↓
┌──────────────┐
│ PALACE BOX │
│ ○ ○ ○ ○ │
│ ○ ○ │
└──────────────┘
↓ ↓
CLEARANCE
The key was that Palace were rarely allowing Leeds' crosses to become clean scoring opportunities.
Ao Tanaka Misses a Huge Opportunity
The clearest Leeds opportunity of the opening half came in the 23rd minute.
Ao Tanaka connected with a cross inside the penalty area and found himself in an excellent position.
The chance was described as an absolute sitter.
But Tanaka could not convert it.
This was a major moment because the opportunity came from exactly the type of attack Leeds had been attempting to create.
Tactical Sketch: Leeds' Missed Chance
LEEDS CROSS
↓
○ TANAKA
↓
OPEN POSITION
↓
SHOT
↓
NO GOAL
The chance highlighted the difference between creating an opportunity and finishing it.
Leeds had successfully delivered the ball into a dangerous area.
But the final action was missing.
Palace Create Their Own Opening
Crystal Palace were not simply defending.
At the 24th minute, Daichi Kamada received a pass around the edge of the box.
He struck towards goal.
James Trafford reacted quickly and got down to his right to keep the ball out.
That was another important goalkeeper intervention.
Tactical Sketch: Trafford's Save
PALACE ATTACK
↓
KAMADA ○
↓
LOW SHOT
↓
┌────────────┐
│ TRAFFORD │
│ 🧤 │
└────────────┘
↓
SAVE
Both teams were now creating chances.
But neither goalkeeper was allowing the first goal.
Palace Threaten From Set Pieces
Crystal Palace also began generating pressure through corners.
At the 27th minute, Tyrick Mitchell sent the ball into the box.
The cross was blocked and went out for another corner.
Palace continued attacking the second balls and trying to create opportunities from dead-ball situations.
At the 28th minute, another corner was cleared by a Leeds defender.
This was becoming a theme.
Both teams were capable of reaching dangerous areas.
But both defences were dealing with the final delivery.
Leeds Increase Their Pressure
Leeds responded with their own sequence of corners.
At 30 minutes, Stach's corner failed to find a teammate and was cleared.
Gudmundsson then delivered another lofted cross, which was headed away.
Leeds won another corner.
At the 33rd minute, Stach's delivery was again cleared out of the penalty area.
The hosts were putting pressure on Palace's box.
But Palace were defending the six-yard and central areas effectively.
Tactical Sketch: The Battle in the Box
LEEDS ATTACK
○ ○ ○
↓ ↓ ↓
CROSS / CORNER
↓
┌────────────────┐
│ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ │
│ PALACE │
│ BLOCK │
└────────────────┘
↓
CLEARANCE
Leeds were getting opportunities to deliver.
Palace were getting opportunities to clear.
The score remained 0–0.
The First Half Ends Without a Goal
The first half ended with neither side able to convert its best chances.
Leeds had the huge opportunity through Tanaka.
Palace had Timber's effort and Kamada's shot.
Both goalkeepers had already made important contributions.
At half-time:
Leeds 0–0 Crystal Palace
The match had been competitive, but the second half was about to produce its biggest drama.
Palace Think They Have Taken the Lead
The second half began with a Crystal Palace substitution, as Jefferson Lerma replaced Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Palace immediately continued searching for a breakthrough.
At the 49th minute, a Palace corner was cleared.
Then, one minute later, Kamada came close again.
His first-time shot from mid-range curled just wide of the right post.
Palace were getting closer.
Then came the biggest moment of the match.
52' — Palace Score... But VAR Says No
Tyrick Mitchell was in the right place at the right time.
A rebound fell inside the penalty area.
Mitchell reacted quickly and fired into the top-right corner.
Leeds 0–1 Crystal Palace.
At least, that was what everyone initially thought.
Palace celebrated.
But the referee received information.
At the 53rd minute, VAR began reviewing the goal.
The issue was a possible offside in the build-up.
One minute later, the decision arrived.
NO GOAL.
Crystal Palace's celebrations were cancelled.
The score remained:
Leeds 0–0 Crystal Palace.
Tactical Sketch: The Disallowed Goal
PALACE ATTACK
↓
INITIAL PLAY
↓
REBOUND
↓
MITCHELL
↓
⚽ 0–1
↓
VAR REVIEW
↓
OFFSIDE
↓
❌ NO GOAL
↓
0–0
This was the match's defining turning point.
Palace had finally produced the breakthrough.
But the goal did not count.
Leeds Almost Respond Immediately
The VAR decision gave Leeds a second opportunity to reset.
Instead of being behind, they were still level.
And just three minutes later, Leeds created their own huge chance.
57' — Calvert-Lewin Misses Leeds' Best Chance
Dominic Calvert-Lewin received a precise cross inside the penalty area.
He produced a low shot towards the middle of the goal.
But the effort lacked power.
The goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
This was another crucial moment.
Leeds had been handed a psychological boost by the disallowed Palace goal.
Then they had the chance to take advantage.
But they could not convert.
Tactical Sketch: Calvert-Lewin's Opportunity
LEEDS WIDE ATTACK
↓
CROSS
↓
┌─────────────┐
│ CALVERT- │
│ LEWIN ○ │
└─────────────┘
↓
LOW SHOT
↓
🧤 SAVE
↓
0–0
Two huge moments had now occurred within five minutes.
Palace scored but were denied by VAR.
Leeds had a major chance but were denied by the goalkeeper.
The match remained locked.
The Game Becomes More Physical
After the two major incidents, the match began to become increasingly physical.
Ao Tanaka received a yellow card in the 62nd minute for a strong challenge.
Adam Wharton was booked for Crystal Palace two minutes later.
Quinten Timber also committed a rough challenge later in the half.
The midfield battle was becoming increasingly important.
Tactical Sketch: Midfield Contest
50–50 BALL
↓
○──────○──────○
LEEDS MIDFIELD
↕
○──────○──────○
PALACE MIDFIELD
PRESSURE • FOULS • DUELS
Neither side was willing to surrender the central areas.
Both Managers Turn to the Bench
Leeds made changes in the second half.
Brenden Aaronson replaced Ao Tanaka.
Daniel James came on for Jayden Bogle.
Lukas Nmecha replaced Noah Okafor.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya later replaced Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Crystal Palace also introduced fresh players.
Ismaila Sarr replaced Yeremy Pino.
Eddie Nketiah replaced Jorgen Larsen.
These changes were intended to provide fresh attacking energy.
But neither side could turn the substitutions into the decisive goal.
Palace Begin to Find Passing Rhythm
At the 71st minute, Crystal Palace produced a neat passing move to create another attacking opportunity.
This was significant because the match had become increasingly open.
Palace were no longer relying exclusively on crosses and set pieces.
They were attempting to combine through Leeds' defensive structure.
Tactical Sketch: Palace Combination Play
PALACE
○────○────○
\ │ /
\ ↓ /
○
KAMADA
│
↓
FINAL PASS
│
↓
BOX
But Leeds continued to close the dangerous spaces.
Leeds Defend Palace's Late Pressure
Crystal Palace continued looking for an opening.
At the 81st minute, a set piece was intercepted.
At the 85th minute, Daichi Kamada received a lofted pass from the flank and shot from close range.
The ball flew narrowly wide, almost brushing the left-hand post.
That was one of Palace's best late opportunities.
Tactical Sketch: Kamada Comes Close
PALACE FLANK
↓
LOFTED PASS
↓
KAMADA ○
↓
CLOSE-RANGE
SHOT
↓
───────────→
JUST WIDE
Leeds had survived again.
Leeds Push in the Final Minutes
Leeds also tried to find the winner.
They continued using the wide areas.
They delivered crosses.
They attempted to use set pieces.
But Palace's defence remained organised.
The game had reached the point where one mistake could decide everything.
Tactical Sketch: The Late Game
0–0
│
┌──────┴──────┐
↓ ↓
LEEDS PALACE
PRESSURE PRESSURE
↓ ↓
CROSS PASS
↓ ↓
CLEARANCE CLEARANCE
└──────┬──────┘
↓
0–0
Neither team could produce the final action.
The Final Whistle
Three minutes of stoppage time were announced.
Palace continued trying to attack.
Leeds attempted to find one final opening.
Jefferson Lerma received a yellow card in the 90+3rd minute.
Leeds made another substitution shortly before the end.
Then, at 90+5:
Full time.
Leeds 0–0 Crystal Palace.
MatchWhy Tactical Breakdown
This match was defined by three things: missed chances, defensive organisation and VAR.
Phase 1 — Leeds Attack Through Crosses
LEEDS WIDE AREA
○
│
CROSS
↓
○ ○ ○
PALACE DEFENCE
↓
CLEARANCE
Leeds repeatedly attempted to use the wide areas.
But Palace's defenders were usually positioned to deal with the deliveries.
Phase 2 — Palace Attack Through the Box
PALACE
○────○────○
\ ↓ /
\ ○ /
KAMADA
↓
SHOT
↓
TRAFFORD
SAVE
Palace were able to create shooting opportunities around the edge of the box.
But Trafford kept Leeds level.
Phase 3 — The VAR Intervention
PALACE GOAL
↓
MITCHELL
↓
0–1
↓
VAR REVIEW
↓
OFFSIDE
↓
NO GOAL
↓
0–0
This was the moment that prevented the match from changing completely.
Phase 4 — Leeds' Missed Response
PALACE GOAL DISALLOWED
↓
LEEDS ATTACK
↓
CROSS TO DCL
↓
LOW SHOT
↓
SAVE
↓
0–0
Leeds had an opportunity to immediately take advantage of the VAR decision.
They could not.
Why Leeds Couldn't Win
1. They missed their biggest chances
Ao Tanaka had an excellent opportunity in the first half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had another major chance early in the second half.
Neither was converted.
2. Palace defended the crosses
Leeds repeatedly used wide deliveries and corners.
Palace were generally able to clear them before they became clean scoring opportunities.
3. Palace's goalkeeper handled the dangerous moments
Walter Benitez dealt with crosses and pressure effectively.
The most important Leeds opportunity came through Calvert-Lewin, but the finish lacked power and was comfortably saved.
4. Leeds could not exploit the VAR reprieve
When Palace's goal was disallowed, Leeds had a major opportunity to take control.
Instead, the next major chance went to Calvert-Lewin, whose effort was saved.
Why Crystal Palace Couldn't Win
1. Their goal was ruled out
Tyrick Mitchell's rebound finish looked to have given Palace the lead.
VAR determined that there was an offside in the build-up.
That removed what would have been the decisive goal.
2. Their best late chances were narrowly missed
Kamada came extremely close in the 85th minute.
His close-range effort flew just wide of the left post.
3. Leeds' goalkeeper made important saves
James Trafford denied Kamada in the first half and helped keep Palace from turning their pressure into a goal.
4. Palace could not find the final breakthrough
Their passing moves were promising, but Leeds continued closing the final spaces.
The Goal That Wasn't
The most important moment of the match was technically not a goal.
It was the goal that was taken away.
52' — MITCHELL
↓
REBOUND
↓
GOAL
↓
PALACE CELEBRATE
↓
VAR
↓
OFFSIDE
↓
NO GOAL
↓
54' — DECISION CONFIRMED
That sequence changed the match.
Had the goal stood, Leeds would have been chasing the game.
Instead, both teams remained level.
The Match in One Sentence
Leeds and Crystal Palace created enough moments to win, but missed chances, strong goalkeeping and VAR's disallowed Palace goal combined to produce a 0–0 draw.
Final Takeaway
The 0–0 scoreline makes this match look uneventful.
It wasn't.
There were clear chances at both ends.
Leeds had Ao Tanaka's huge first-half opportunity and Calvert-Lewin's second-half chance.
Crystal Palace had Kamada's efforts, Timber's early shot and, most importantly, Tyrick Mitchell's apparent 52nd-minute goal.
But the goal did not stand.
VAR determined that there was an offside in the build-up.
That decision preserved the 0–0 scoreline.
Leeds then had a chance to take advantage, but Calvert-Lewin's low shot lacked the power needed to beat the goalkeeper.
From there, both teams continued searching.
Palace found more passing rhythm.
Leeds continued using their wide areas.
Kamada came within inches of scoring late.
Neither defence cracked.
And after five minutes of stoppage time, the referee ended the match.
The biggest lesson from this game is simple:
Both teams created enough moments to win, but neither was clinical enough to turn those moments into a goal that counted.
The result was a draw that was shaped as much by what the teams failed to finish as by what they successfully created.
MatchWhy — We don't just tell you the score. We explain why.
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