Daniel Farke’s new direct game plan bore fruit in the most spectacular way possible for Leeds United against Crystal Palace.
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side had no answer to Leeds’ bombardment, as the Whites dominated their opponents in the air.
Daniel Farke has released the handbrake at Leeds in recent weeks, as his side has now scored three or more goals in their last three home games, for the first time since the glory days under David O’Leary in 2002.
Leeds pursued a policy of bringing in physically powerful players in the summer transfer window, and this paid dividends as Jaka Bijol was the unsung hero at both ends of the pitch.
The impact of Leeds’ new proficiency from set pieces is proven by an eye-catching statistic, as Farke’s side achieved something no other Premier League team has done this season.
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Leeds United set a new high bar in the Premier League
All four of Leeds’ goals came from set pieces, as Ethan Ampadu created two from his deadly long throws, before he poked home from a corner to cap a brilliant performance.
Anton Stach then added a late direct free-kick to seal a statement win and, according to Opta, Leeds set a new Premier League season’s best in the process.
Leeds’ four goals from set pieces were the most by a Premier League team since Everton played Wolves in December 2024, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line for the Toffees in a 4-0 win.
Calvert-Lewin did not find the net on that occasion, as Craig Dawson scored a brace of own goals. However, his presence in both of these games shows his value in the box from attacking set-pieces.
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Leeds United top the Premier League for set-piece goals
By adding four goals from set pieces to their overall total, Leeds now lead the Premier League by this metric.
According to WhoScored.com, Leeds have scored 24 goals in total this season, of which 10 have come from open play, 12 from set pieces and two from penalties.
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Leeds are currently the Premier League's best set-piece takers
This means Leeds have scored the most set-piece goals in the competition, two more than Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, who have scored 10 each.
While Farke may wish he had switched to this more direct approach sooner, it shows that Leeds have now found a way to threaten their opponents, having looked so toothless in the final third in the opening weeks of the season.
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