Crystal Palace should be embarrassed as Jamie Redknapp exposes major weakness vs Leeds

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Credit: Imago Sat 20 December 2025 22:00, UK Oliver Glasner and his backroom staff have serious work to do after Crystal Palace’s weakness was fully exposed by Leeds United.Dominic Calvert-Lewin continue his rich vein of scoring form at Elland Road on Saturday, 20 December, with a first-half brace to his name, with Ethan Ampadu adding a third on the hour mark.Relegation has been on the cards for Leeds this season, but following a smart tactical change from Daniel Farke, the team looks as though multiple new signings have been made.Calvert-Lewin has been superb, as have the back three of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Jaka Bijol, with the full-backs working tirelessly down the flanks to ensure the Whites stay afloat.Leeds United take advantage of Crystal Palace’s set-piece weaknessThat was entirely evident as Glasner’s Eagles were put to the sword in West Yorkshire, and the visitors did very little to silence the victors, who appeared to find a cheat code on the night.Both of Calvert-Lewin’s goals came from set-pieces, and Ampadu’s effort did as well, poking through the middle of a crowded pack to steer past Dean Henderson on the hour mark. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES While the third might have been a little more fortunate than the first two, Jamie Redknapp highlighted a clear issue that Palace’s set-piece coaches need to address ahead of the next game.Speaking on Sky Sports during the half-time break (20 December), Redknapp said: “You can see here that he gets blocked, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gets in at the back post.“I’m thinking, ‘Surely, you’ve got to change this’.

Set-piece coaches get a lot of credit these days, but watch this, it’s the same again. It’s the same mismatch.

He’s sleeping, he’s a midfielder, and it’s not his job.”Crystal Palace’s set-piece coaches failed on all frontsWatching the goals again, especially Calvert-Lewin’s second one, it became clear that Redknapp was talking about Adam Wharton, who was tasked with marking one of the most in-form players on the pitch.The same happened both times, and with the Eagles in horrific form in recent weeks, this kind of thing just cannot happen if the South London side are to get out of their current slump.Had these decisions been the manager’s, many would see them as a sackable offence, and the exact same should be said for the set-piece coaches, who clearly failed in their preparations for Elland Road.Leeds have utilised the long-throw brilliantly this season, so that was always going to play a large role, but it seemed to take the Eagles completely by surprise.