Jesse Marsch reacts to Rasmus Kristensen's display in Leeds defeat

By Jordan Harris

Jesse Marsch has claimed that Rasmus Kristensen had his best game yet for Leeds United, despite their defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday – in comments to BBC Radio Leeds (9/10; 16:44).

Leeds suffered an agonising loss at Selhurst Park. Marsch’s men started brilliantly and took the lead through Pascal Struijk. However, Palace grew more and more into the game.

Patrick Vieira’s men scored in either half to secure the three points.

Kristensen had his best Leeds game

Leeds were poor as the game went on. They struggled to ask any questions of the home side during the second-half. But there was one player who could perhaps be happy with his display.

Kristensen was given the tough task of dealing with Wilfried Zaha. And the Dane largely did superbly against the forward. He also produced one stunning block to deny Jordan Ayew early on in the second-half.

Kristensen has not had the easiest time since arriving at Leeds. But Marsch felt that the right-back has not yet been better than he was on Sunday.

“Very pleased. He knew it was a big challenge to play against Zaha. We had a really good discussion last night about a few different things, about his time here and really committing to developing and committing to the difficulty of what this league is and believing in himself,” he said, as broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds.

“And I thought that was easily his best performance in a Leeds kit. So I’m really happy for him.”

Kristensen is still a work in progress. Palace’s winner came down Leeds’ right flank. But he deserves enormous credit for largely dealing with someone who can give full-backs such a torrid time.

He needed that kind of performance.

Luke Ayling has been bright since returning from injury. And some may have been wanting him to return to the starting lineup ahead of Kristensen.

Leeds are still yet to see the summer signing offer a real threat in the final third. And that will be something he will hope to improve upon in the coming weeks.

Defeat will have felt like a sucker punch for Leeds. But Kristensen is arguably one who can hold his head up high.