Crystal Palace stunned relegation rivals Leeds 5-1 at Elland Road to move six points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three.

Palace were outplayed in the first half but went in level at the break after Marc Guehi cancelled out Patrick Bamford’s early opener for Leeds.

Palace scored twice in three minutes early in the second period, through Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze, and Leeds surrendered, with Odsonne Edouard and Ayew’s second completing a remarkable comeback.

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For the first time since December 2020, the Londoners scored five league goals on the road in veteran manager Roy Hodgson’s second game in charge since his return to the club.

Leeds finished the afternoon in 16th place, two points above the drop zone, and few expected such a heavy defeat after their usual barnstorming start.

Luis Sinisterra’s low angled shot was inches wide, and Sam Johnstone was forced into early action for the visitors in his first league start.

The Palace goalkeeper made a spectacular save to keep Brenden Aaronson’s flicked effort out, and he also blocked another shot from Sinisterra.

Leeds took a deserved 21st-minute lead when Bamford deftly headed home Aaronson’s corner for his 50th goal for the club in all competitions.

Soon after, the unmarked Jeffrey Schlupp headed Eze’s corner against a post, and Ayew’s follow-up effort was blocked.

Leeds were denied a second goal when Johnstone made a diving save to keep out Jack Harrison’s free kick before Palace threatened again when Ayew headed another corner narrowly wide.

However, Johnstone was far and away the busier goalkeeper. The West Brom free agent then saved Pascal Struijk’s goalbound header before Palace scored an unlikely equalizer.

Guehi’s close-range finish was ruled onside after a VAR check after Eze’s free-kick deflected off Schlupp.

Leeds would not have been pleased with a three-goal first-half lead, but Palace then turned the game on its head, stunning the home crowd with two goals in three minutes early in the second half.

In the 53rd minute, Ayew outjumped Ayling to head home Michael Olise’s right-wing cross to make it 2-1.

After poor Leeds defending, Olise slipped in Eze, whose run into the box went unopposed, and he toe-poked the ball home in the 55th minute.

Leeds pushed forward in an attempt to save the game, but were caught off guard again in the 69th minute when Edouard raced on to Olise’s pass and rifled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Ayew made it 5-1 in the 77th minute, ramming home from eight yards after Will Hughes’ blocked effort fell into his path, to give Palace back-to-back victories in Hodgson’s second spell in charge.