I never do things by halves, and this week has been no exception. On returning from Brentford last week, I have never done my blog and posted my photos so quickly, in two hours, but I was running on adrenaline after sleeping all the way there and back on the coach. As soon as it was done, I headed to the airport in the early hours of the morning to fly to Berlin and Leipzig meeting up with relatives once again. Just before flying home, I lit four candles in the Gedächtniskirche in remembrance of my mum, dad, husband and daughter which left me feeling very emotional. On returning home, a few hours later I headed to an event with the Leeds United Supporters Club at the Sky Bet/Flutter Offices in Leeds. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share details of our fundraising for a statue of Billy Bremner in his hometown of Stirling. The raffle is now live with tickets available, use the button below to go to the website.

It was quite a surreal day at first as we headed to Elland Road with the kick off being at 8pm. After a trip to the Holbeck and then the Peacock we headed into the ground having caught up with fans including one girl who had travelled from Australia to join her family here.

Team: Perri, Ampadu, Calvert-Lewin, Rodon, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Aaronson, Stach, Okafor, Struijk, Bijol.

Subs: Tanaka for Aaronson (77), Gnonto for Okafor (77), Justin for Bogle (80), Gruev for Ampadu (87), Piroe for Calvert-Lewin (87).

Subs not used: Darlow, Bornauw, Byram, Harrison.

Leeds won the game 4-1 with a brace from Calvert-Lewin (38, 45+4), Ampadu (60) and Stach (90+11) scoring for Leeds.

Attendance: 36,334, approximately 1,900 Crystal Palace fans.

Referee: Thomas Bramall.

Booked: Perri.

To say the late kick off normally has the stadium buzzing, the first twenty minutes felt quite subdued with the football matching it. With the weather been miserable with fog around, maybe it wasn’t surprising it took a while to get going. We had a couple of headers from Rodon and Struijk that weren’t far away from opening the scoring then Aaronson was brought down on the edge of the box. Play had gone to our end before VAR decided to check for a penalty. As we were mystified as to why Palace should be getting a penalty, it was pointed out to us that it was for us but then denied anyway. I hate VAR as it takes the spontaneity away plus it takes too long to make decisions! The good thing was it sparked the crowd into action.

Ampadu’s long throws were causing a lot of problems for Palace and as they headed the ball on, it came to Calvert-Lewin at the far post who saw his first shot saved by the keeper before hitting the rebound into the net. Struijk saw his shot deflected narrowly wide and from the corner we increased our lead when Bijol headed the ball onto Calvert-Lewin who scored a second goal with a header. That was a very well-timed goal in first half injury time.

Leeds increased their lead from another corner as the ball was cleared to Aaronson on the edge of the box. Firstly, he headed it back into the box as Bijol flicked it forward, where quick reactions saw Ampadu hit the ball into the net as Elland Road erupted. It was no more than Ampadu deserved as he had played very well. This was another VAR check but was allowed! From being three goals up, Palace were awarded a penalty after their player got in front of our defence and Perri was penalised. To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with his dancing along the goal line trying to put their player off, but it didn’t work as he went the wrong way. Maybe if they hadn’t have scored from it, I’d have felt differently. There was more controversy as Leeds were awarded a penalty as Gruev was brought down on the edge of the box. After VAR denied it, I said that Stach had to send the free kick directly into the goal which he duly did, sending everyone into raptures giving us the perfect Christmas present.

With no Boxing Day fixture for the first time, it gives me time to catch my breath and enjoy the Christmas period which is my favourite time of the year, despite losing loved ones. Before that I will be heading to the Hyde Park picture house for one of the last screenings of Paris 75. Although this will be the fourth time of watching it, I can guarantee I will still cry due to the emotions it creates. This time I will also be one of the fans taking part in the question-and-answer session afterwards, so I look forward to catching up with others there. 

To all my friends, family, acquaintances and my extended Leeds United family.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and thank you all for the support you have given to me and my family which is greatly appreciated.

If you are struggling, please reach out to someone who can help you like they have me.

Lots of love Heidi Haigh and Follow Me and Leeds United