Leeds United 1 Everton FC 1: grinding out a draw

A tough, scrappy match against Everton saw Leeds grinding out a draw. If only Leeds can perform in the first half as well as they keep doing in the second half.

Team news saw Rodrigo pushed up as striker where he performs best. His performance against Brighton HA with passing and crossing was poor. Sinisterra has been excellent as a sub and in the Carabao cup and has earned his first start. Dan James has been dropped in favour of Sinisterra. James is strong on effort and assisted on a Chelsea goal but is not delivering enough to deserve a first team place. Leeds were disappointing against Brighton HA and a response will be expected from the home crowd.

Lampard is a bogey man for Leeds United. He seems to beat us whether it was when he was at Derby County, Chelsea or now at Everton. Everton are unbeaten in their last four visits to Elland Road. Everton have strengthened their defence with Coady and Tarkowski Gordon is getting all the attention in whether or not he stays at Everton.

And it is Gordon who puts Everton ahead early on. After Leeds dominate possession it is a mistake by Llorente who allows the ball to pass through his legs for Gordon to score. Leeds start slowly and not creating chances on goal.

Leeds response sees a cross to Rodrigo beating Pickford but Rodrigo fails to get a foot on it and it rolls tantalising past the goal. Pickford’s dreadful timewasting taking goal kicks (up to a minute) is asking for a yellow card.

Rodrigo picks up a shoulder injury in a tackle with Pickford. It looked painful and Gelhardt is on. Everton relying on long punts into the Leeds deference and breaking when Leeds press high.

A meek performance by Leeds in the first half. Lots of possession but Everton defending in numbers has prevented Leeds from getting shots on goal. Everton are dangerous on the counter attack.

A better second half

Leeds start positively in the second half with an absolutely brilliant goal by Sinisterra. Sinisterra behind Tarkowski takes a shot into the right hand side of the goal with Pickford wrong footed. Elland Road is buzzing.

The niggly side to the game bubbles over with a mutual meeting of heads by Gordon and Kristensen. Both managers have a go at the fourth referee. Klich is brought on to get some game management for Leeds. Leeds are then caught out going forward with only VAR saving Leeds with an offside.

Leeds keep the pressure on in the second with Pickford desperately stopping Gelhardt from scoring. Leeds are then lucky from a rare corner for Everton with only Kristensen on the goal to head out an incoming shot. Leeds are lucky again as Patterson has a clear shot on goal with Meslier saving Leeds.

Overall, a middling performance by Leeds – again Marsch needed to sort out the team at half time. Marsch says we need more goals. Adams talked about it being “grinding out results” and “learning process” for the new players. Sinisterra will be an important player in future after his first goal.

Tyler Adams is quietly growing into a strong midfielder. But Llorente and Gelhardt were below par. Bamford came on later but looked off the pace. Harrison having a bad night – poor corners and then scuffed shot on goal when he should have passed to Bamford screaming for the ball. He looked exhausted and should have been subbed.

Man of the Match: Tyler Adams.