Dubai-owned Leeds knock Palace off pedestal

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway insisted his side had no reason to feel down despite surrendering top spot in the Championship after a 2-1 defeat at Leeds.

Palace's hopes of reaching the Premier League suffered a setback as their 14-match unbeaten run came to an end at Elland Road on Saturday.

After six months of negotiations, Leeds were this week bought by GFH Capital and they celebrated by winning for the first time in eight matches.

Leeds, managed by former Palace boss Neil Warnock, took the lead in the 52nd minute when Luciano Becchio converted Paul Green's cross.

And Green bagged the second himself in the 76th minute to frustrate Palace, who replied with a 85th minute goal from Peter Ramage but couldn't complete the comeback.

However, Holloway, beaten for the first time since replacing Dougie Freedman as Palace chief, felt his players deserved at least a point for their efforts.

"They looked like the Leeds of old in the first 20 minutes by coming at us. We came through that period but didn't get the breaks," Holloway said.

"I thought we deserved at least a point and we did our supporters proud.

"Leeds got on the end of two things inside our box and scored two goals but there was a real scramble at the end and how the referee awarded Leeds a free-kick to relieve the pressure I don't know."

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay refused to get carried away after his side moved one point clear of Palace at the top thanks to a 2-1 win at Barnsley.

The Bluebirds took the lead when Ben Nugent headed home the first goal of his career in the 22nd minute and they doubled their lead six minutes into the second half as Aron Gunnarsson nodded in another Peter Whittingham setpiece.

Jacob Mellis got one back for Barnsley in the 76th minute and Cardiff had Simon Lappin sent off in the closing moments, but the visitors held on for their first away win in seven attempts.

"It was just good to have another three points, coming to a tough ground," Mackay said.

"We were playing against a team that has a fresh influx of players through the week, so we always knew it was going to be difficult.

"I'm delighted to come away from here having been clinical."

Third-placed Leicester underlined their promotion credentials with a 2-0 win at struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday dropped into the relegation zone as a result of that loss as Bristol City climbed out of the bottom three with a 3-1 win over fourth-placed Middlesbrough at a foggy Riverside Stadium.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett is keen to keep New Zealand striker Chris Wood on a permanent basis after his stunning goal inspired a 2-0 win at Blackburn.

Wood, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, unleashed an unstoppable long range strike after 71 minutes, and James Henry wrapped up the points in the final minute with an impressive strike that stretched sixth-placed Millwall's unbeaten run to 11 games.

"Chris is doing very well and in a rich vein of form," Jackett said.

"He is here until Christmas. He's done very well for us and it is an obvious thing to say if we could get him at Millwall of course we would."

Hull are fifth after losing 1-0 to Burnley, who took the points at the KC Stadium through Dean Marney's 40th minute goal against his former club.

Elsewhere, Derby beat Birmingham 3-2, Nottingham Forest won 2-1 at Wolves and Blackpool came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Watford.

Brighton drew 1-1 with Bolton, Charlton shared a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield and Ipswich drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Peterborough.

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