adminLeeds United are unbeaten in their opening five Premier League matches this season, battling for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in their most recent outing.
The international break moves into its second weekend this week, with Leeds once again having no fixture as our 12 internationals remain away on duty.
It gives us an opportunity to look back on what has been an excellent opening to the campaign. However, United’s latest result – a 0-0 stalemate against Crystal Palace – did take some of the shine off the mood.
Premier League’s KMI Panel assess disputed Leeds United 0-0 Crystal Palace incidents
The Premier League’s Key Match Incident Panel have released their latest conclusions on controversial refereeing decisions from across the division.
In reviewing the latest incidents, the KMI Panel highlighted three moments from our draw with the Eagles:
28′ – Penalty not awarded: Handball appeal against Tyrick Mitchell
51′ – Goal awarded: Anan Khalaili in an onside position
69′ – Penalty not awarded: Challenge by Ethan Ampadu on Daichi Kamada
The KMI Panel unanimously voted 5:0 in all three cases, determining that the correct calls had been made.
Khalaili was found to be marginally offside for Mitchell’s opener, while replays indicated that Ampadu made a decisive touch while challenging Kamada inside the area.
The handball incident, however, came from a deep delivery towards Jayden Bogle. The Leeds wing-back struck the ball towards goal, but it was diverted away from danger by Mitchell’s elbow.
In unanimously backing referee Adam Herczeg’s decision, the KMI’s reasoning was as follows:
“The no penalty decision for a potential handball offence against Mitchell was supported, with his arms in an expected position.”
A point against Crystal Palace remains a positive result for Leeds United
It’s not often you can finish a match feeling that the referee delivered a strong performance. Herczeg was impressive, taking control from the early stages and avoiding becoming the focus of any major controversy. Of course, he was also aided by what was a dreadful spectacle.
Regardless, I don’t think a draw is a particularly poor outcome at home against Palace, despite their difficult beginning to the season. It extends our unbeaten run and further underlines United’s defence as one of the strongest in the league.
That should put us in a strong position heading into the autumn and winter period, with some demanding fixtures waiting on the horizon.
If you lacked belief in this season, the opening five matches should certainly have given you more confidence.
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