Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds: Jesse Marsch’s side withstand late pressure to earn a vital point away from home in the battle to beat the drop as goalless stalemate sees them open up a five-point gap to 18th-placed Everton in the relegation zone.

The Eagles looked the more likely to find a winner but Leeds held firm.

Leeds have opened up a five-point gap between themselves and Everton.

Meanwhile, Palace have now gone four games without a win in all competitions.

Slowly and on unsteady feet, Leeds took another a little step. There was no great flourish in how they did it, no great flair nor finale, but in Jesse Marsch’s own way, they are getting there.

The tally now stands at 34 points for their 33 games played. What does safety look like this year? It won’t take 40, but 35 feels iffy, too. So they are closer and should be okay, but it’s not done yet. Not with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea filling the next three lines of their dance card.

That is a rough draw, but for now events are in their favour, as is momentum. Across seven games, Marsch, their American saviour, has taken three wins and a pair of draws, which is heaven and earth from how they were shaping up in the final weeks and months of Marcelo Bielsa.

MATCH FACTS

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Guaita 6.5; Clyne 6.5, Andersen 7, Guehi 6.5, Ward 6.5; McArthur 6, Gallagher 7.5; Eze 6.5 (Schlupp 79), Ayew 6.5 (Olise 67, 6), Zaha 7; Mateta 5.5 (Benteke 84).

Subs not used: Butland, Kelly, Tomkins, Kouyate, Hughes, Edouard.

Booked: Andersen, Ward

Manager: Patrick Vieira 6.5

Leeds (4-2-3-1): Meslier 8; Ayling 7, Llorente 7.5, Cooper 6.5, Dallas 5.5; Klich 5.5 (Koch 46, 6), Phillips 5.5; Raphinha 6, Rodrigo 6 (Gelhardt 74, 6), Harrison 6; James 5 (Greenwood 59, 6).

Subs not used: Klaesson, Struijk, Firpo, Cresswell, Bate, Kenneh.

Booked: James, Llorente

Manager: Jesse Marsch 6

Referee: Darren England 5

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