On a chilly December evening at a roaring Elland Road, Leeds United delivered their most emphatic performance of the 2025/26 Premier League season, dismantling Crystal Palace 4-1 in a display of set-piece supremacy and clinical finishing on December 20, 2025.
This wasn’t just another victory – it was a statement. For the first time this campaign, Daniel Farke’s side breached the four-goal mark, becoming the only Premier League team to score all four goals from dead-ball situations in a single match. Dominic Calvert-Lewin stole the headlines with a first-half brace that extended his remarkable streak to goals in five consecutive league games – a feat not achieved by a Leeds player since Mark Viduka over two decades ago. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who joined Leeds on a free transfer from Everton in August 2025, was the star of the show with a first-half brace (goals in the 38th and 45’+4 minutes).
Daniel Farke’s side started brightly, bombarding the Palace box with set pieces. A long throw led to Joe Rodon firing a shot that was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner, he headed narrowly off target. Pascal Struijk also went close with two headers from corners, both missing the mark. The visitors Crystal Palace tried to control possession early on to manage their heavy schedule, but created little from open play. Eddie Nketiah had their best moment, shooting straight at Leeds keeper Lucas Perri. Later on, Leeds fans were furious when Brenden Aaronson appeared to be fouled clumsily in the box by Tyrick Mitchell, but referee Thomas Bramall and VAR waved play on – no penalty.
Moments later, Ampadu launched another trademark long throw into the box. At the 38th minute, It caused chaos, with Chris Richards inadvertently flicking it toward Calvert-Lewin. The striker’s initial close-range effort was saved by Dean Henderson, but he reacted quickest to tap in the rebound. Elland Road erupted – DCL’s fifth goal in five straight Premier League games! Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 1-0 for Leeds United as he made History for Leeds United.
Just before the break, during the moment of 45+4 before halftime, Ampadu hurled in yet another long throw. Jaka Bijol won the flick-on at the near post, and Calvert-Lewin gambled perfectly at the far post, powering a header past Henderson. A classic poacher’s brace for the in-form striker – his first in the Premier League since 2020 – sending Leeds into halftime in full control. The fans at Elland Road were delighted to amplify the excitement of the match. It could be a Christmas Gift for Leeds United creating a Christmas moment to remember.
Historic Record: Scoring in Five Consecutive Premier League Games
With this brace, Calvert-Lewin became just the fourth Leeds United player in Premier League history to score in five straight matches:
• Mark Viduka (twice in 2003 – the last to do it, 22 years ago)
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (1998)
• Rod Wallace (1993)
It’s the first time a Leeds player has achieved this since Viduka in August 2003, and notably, Calvert-Lewin is the first to do so in his debut season for the club (a feat only previously matched in the old Second Division by John McCole in 1959-60).
Leeds picked up right where they left off after the break, maintaining pressure through set pieces while a fatigued Crystal Palace (playing their ninth game in 26 days) struggled to create chances. Leeds United kept bombarding the Palace box. Dean Henderson made a brilliant double save – first denying Pascal Struijk, then the follow-up in a goalmouth scramble cleared off the line by Jefferson Lerma and Marc Guéhi.
Leeds’ set-piece mastery struck again. At the 60th minute, Anton Stach’s corner was half-cleared, but Brenden Aaronson headed it back into the danger zone. Captain Ethan Ampadu, unmarked, reacted quickest to stab home from close range – his first Premier League goal for the club! A deserved reward for the assist king of the night. Leeds United was electrifying the fans at Elland Road as they lead 3-0.
Late drama in stoppage time as Crystal Palace unfortunately got the chance the opportunity to score when goalkeeper Lucas Perri fouled substitute Christantus Uche in the box. Young sub Justin Devenny stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty, briefly raising visiting hopes at the 92nd minute. Palace were nearly equalized moments later, heading against to goal but Leeds United Goalkeeper Lucas Perri was lucky to save them to avoid a Christmas crash.
The VAR check began. Replays showed contact, but crucially, the initial foul by Borna Sosa on the Leeds attacker Ilia Gruev occurred just outside the box. After a tense couple of minutes, Thomas Bramall was sent to the pitchside monitor. He reversed his original decision: no penalty for Palace, free-kick to Leeds instead for the foul on the edge of the area. Elland Road erupted in relief and roared back to life. From the resulting free-kick, around 20 yards out and slightly left of centre, Anton Stach stepped up. With the Palace wall jumping nervously, he curled a magnificent, dipping strike over the barrier and into the top corner past a despairing Dean Henderson.
The German midfielder Anton Stach wheeled away in celebration as the stadium exploded – a goal that felt like the ultimate knockout blow, turning potential anxiety into pure jubilation, at the 101th minute as it ruled the last kick before the match ended with a brilliant winning goal. It didn’t just restore the three-goal cushion; it underlined Leeds’ resilience and rewarded their dominance on a night when, no matter the outcome of that pivotal VAR call, the result already felt secure. Stach’s sublime finish was the perfect exclamation point on a memorable 4-1 victory.
The stadium didn’t just cheer – it exploded. Fans leapt from their seats, strangers hugged, scarves twirled in the air. It was the kind of roar usually reserved for a last-gasp winner in a cup tie or a derby. In that moment, it genuinely felt like the goal that won the game, snuffing out any lingering Palace hope and turning a solid victory into a rout.
Many supporters on social media afterwards described it exactly as you said – “like scoring the winning touchdown with seconds left” or “the goal that wins you the cup final.” The timing, the drama, the quality of the strike, and the way it killed the game stone dead made it so much more than a fourth goal on a comfortable night.
For a match that was already special – Calvert-Lewin’s history-making brace, the first four-goal haul of the season, the last home game before Christmas – Stach’s moment became the iconic image the fans will remember most. A perfect, unforgettable way to sign off 2025 at Elland Road.
The final whistle sparked massive celebrations – a statement win that showcased Leeds’ set-piece threat and resilience, lifting them comfortably clear of danger heading into Christmas!
An Early Christmas to Remember at Elland Road
As referee Thomas Bramall blew the final whistle on December 20, 2025, Elland Road was transformed into a sea of white and celebration – the last home game of the year had delivered a performance and result that felt like the perfect early Christmas present for every Leeds United supporter.
A comprehensive 4-1 demolition of Crystal Palace, capped by Anton Stach’s breathtaking stoppage-time free-kick that felt to many like the decisive “winning goal” of a cup final, sent the home crowd into raptures. Fans jumped for joy, scarves aloft, voices hoarse from chanting, as the reality sank in: they had just witnessed their team score four goals in a Premier League match for the first time this season, and seen Dominic Calvert-Lewin – rightfully named Player of the Match – write his name into club history with a brace that made him the first Leeds player in 22 years to score in five consecutive top-flight games.
This wasn’t just three points; it was a moment of genuine Premier League history unfolding before their eyes. Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence, the set-piece masterclass, the late drama, and the sheer dominance combined to create a night of pure magic under the floodlights.
Six points clear of danger, unbeaten in four, and heading into the festive fixtures with momentum and belief, Daniel Farke’s side gave their loyal fans something truly special to cherish over Christmas. For the Elland Road faithful, this 4-1 victory will forever be remembered as an early Christmas gift wrapped in white – one of joy, pride, and unforgettable celebration.
Marching on together, happier than ever.
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