Leeds United hung on for a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, but their anxieties of being dragged deeper into the Premier League relegation race on Monday were unabated.

After Wilfried Zaha was accused of diving by the visitors, Jesse Marsch’s side survived a second-half bombardment from a Palace squad invigorated by him.

Leeds are five points clear of the relegation zone, but Everton, who are currently in third place, have a game in hand and can narrow the difference to two points.

Leeds’ next three games are against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea, so the season might end on a nerve-wracking note for the Yorkshire team.

Since recruiting American manager Marsch to replace the dismissed Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds have won 11 points in seven games.

Burnley’s second consecutive win, against the Wolves on Sunday, pulled them out of the relegation zone, lifting them above Everton and bringing Leeds into the relegation battle.

During their time as managers of the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, Marsch and Palace head Patrick Vieira met nine times in the United States.

None of Marsch’s earlier confrontations could have been more vital than this one as Leeds attempted to claw their way out of the relegation scrap.

After a hamstring injury, England midfielder Kalvin Phillips was making his first Leeds start in nearly five months, although he struggled to keep up at times.

When Jean-Philippe Mateta raced onto Conor Gallagher’s long pass and chipped his shot past Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, Palace almost had the perfect start, but the hefty striker’s effort drifted just wide.

Mateta wasted another golden chance when he stretched to shin Jordan Ayew’s cross wide from close range as Palace dominated the early stages.

Leeds defender Liam Cooper’s header prompted Vicente Guaita to make his first save after a shaky start.

Mateta put Meslier to the test with a thunderous header before Palace’s Zaha drew Marsch’s wrath.

Marsch took issue with Zaha’s theatrical tumbles on the touchline, and the Ivorian then shoved Raphinha in the face, making the mood even tenser.

The bad blood continued in the second half when Daniel James was booked for a rough foul on Joel Ward, resulting in another brawl.

After Luke Ayling’s challenge left him falling, Zaha requested for a penalty, but his complaint was ignored.

Unfazed, Zaha turned his attention back to Leeds, cutting inside the area for a shot that Meslier saved superbly.

Meslier twice saved Zaha efforts with his legs after Gallagher hammered a half-volley just over from the edge of the box.

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