Leeds United 1 Everton FC 0 – Up for It. The players were up for it. The fans were up for it. This was Elland Road at its most ferocious. Despite lacking a new top striker Leeds squeezed out a win through a contentious penalty.
Leeds had to wait all weekend after everyone else had played but at least our first match of the season was at home. Our new striker did not start so Piroe was given the chance to prove himself at Premier League. Bijol was suspended and Bornauw injured so we were hardly at full strength. We are not the finished article with at least three players still needed to secure our premier league place.
Everton have new signings too: Beto and Dewbury-Hall. But it was the loan signing of Jack Grealish that dominated the talk before the match. But if Leeds are to find points this season it is from the likes of Everton who struggled last season.
All the predictions I had seen had Leeds ending the season in the relegation zone. That largely depends which and when signings Leeds manage by the January window. The best I expect Leeds to manage before new signings is clean sheets but not that many goals.
After the Premier League anthem was roundly bood the electric atmosphere from the Leeds crowd burst into life cheering on every tackle and close down of Everton attacks. Leeds dominated the first half creating a dozen shots, controlling possession, but never really looking likfe scoring. Rodon was impregnable in defence, Bogle insightful in his runs and Tanaka for more vocal in the midfield. Gnonto looked up for a goal. Stach and Gudmundsson proved Leeds have stepped up with new giant players.
Everton came out in the second half and turned the game around in their favour, holding the ball and playing higher up. Finally, Perri had to make a save. The match was in the balance. After a nasty foul on Ampadu both sides looked to change the game through substitutes. Everton brought on Jack Grealish who, despite the size of his biceps, could not make a difference to the flow of the game. Not far behind Grealish for boos was Harrison, too early yet to appease the fans.
Leeds made their own changes and kept pressing with Stach winning a penalty after Tarkowsky’s upper arm moved towards the ball. It was a controversial decision that I certainly would not have contested if VAR asked the referee to change his decision. His arm was, after all, tucked in. Up stepped Nmecha, only just on the pitch, to coolly slot the ball at the far end of the goal and become a Leeds hero.
At the close Leeds fans stayed behind for a thunderous rendition of I Predict a Riot whilst David Moyes bitterly protested the penalty with the refere,e but admitted “we didn’t deserve anything.” As the Sky commentators observed, they stayed behind to party with Farke.
The Leeds players fought every ball, passed kamikaze style and eventually ran out of steam giving the ball away at the end. It was a full on match, if a little short on skill. But the fans kept roaring and Everton could do nothing to quell the noise. As Gary Neville said “I’d put Elland Road up there with Anfield…” It’s hard to knock any player for their passion tonight. A lack of a striker was glaring but there is time before the transfer window closes.
This may be the only time Leeds reach as high as seventh in the Premier League table but they have at least shown they are not going to be rolled over.
Man of the match: Gudmundsson. An imposing figure on the ball constantly high up the pitch. His power on the ball is a big factor for crosses and corners.
