Patrick Bamford admitted Leeds “fell apart” in Sunday’s home defeat to Crystal Palace but insisted the 5-1 rout will not define his side’s season.
Leeds could have been out of sight in the first half against their relegation rivals, with Bamford’s 50th goal for the club giving them a deserved lead.
But Palace, in Roy Hodgson’s second game back in charge, snatched an equaliser through Marc Guehi in time added on before the interval and Leeds capitulated.
Three goals in 10 minutes either side of half-time turned the game on its head, with Jordan Ayew’s brace sandwiching efforts from Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Edouard, while the outstanding Michael Olise provided three assists.
“The first half we were really good, probably should’ve been a few goals ahead,” Bamford told LUTV after Palace moved six points above the bottom three and left Leeds hovering just two points clear.
“Then, the second half we kind of fell apart and it was a freak result in the second half.
“But it’s one that we’ll move on from. I said before the game that one game doesn’t decide it. It wasn’t the be all and end all and we move on.”
Leeds fans left in their droves after Ayew sealed Palace’s remarkable turnaround with their fifth goal in the 77th minute.
Bamford added: “Fans are entitled to their opinion and to leave early if they want. The majority of Leeds fans are always behind us.
“We appreciate that when they have to sit and watch the second half when we unfold like that, but we know they’ll be there next week. We always appreciate them and we need them.”
Eze and Olise orchestrated as Palace side danced a merry tune in the second period and Hodgson’s rampant side were equally indebted to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The three-times capped England international, who has played second fiddle to Vicente Guaita this season due to injury after his summer switch from West Brom, kept Leeds at bay on his Premier League debut for Palace.
He was at his acrobatic best to keep out first-half efforts from Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison and Pascal Struijk in particular.
Johnstone told Palace’s official website: “Leeds are a tough team and in the first half we didn’t get going.
“Thankfully, when the shots came my way, I was able to make a save. We got an important goal just before half-time, which gave us a base in the second half to go and kick on, which we needed to do.
“The first half was tough. They ran a lot – they ran all over us – but the character we showed in the second half was unbelievable.”
